Chatham Sheriff Announces Arrest in Connection to Chapel Hill Man's Death

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office has charged a Cary man in connection to the overdose death of a Chapel Hill resident last summer.

The sheriff’s office shared a release on Tuesday morning, saying Allen David Wendel was arrested on the felony charge of death by distribution. Investigators said the charge is related to the fatal overdose of a 55-year-old on August 31, 2021. The Chapel Hill victim, who was unnamed in the release, had fentanyl, heroin and cocaine in their system, according to a toxicology report.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested the 41-year-old Wendel under the state “Death by Distribution” Act — a law enacted in 2019 in response to the opioid epidemic. The measure allows for the prosecution of those who sell substances to buyers who later overdose from those specific drugs. It is the second death by distribution arrest the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office has announced in August, as investigators earlier charged a Sanford woman in connection to a March 2021 fatal overdose.

In its release, the sheriff’s office said both arrests resulted from “extensive, year-long investigations.”

“Death by distribution cases can be incredibly difficult to prove or prosecute, making it even more essential for authorities to conduct thorough investigations and follow all leads,” Sheriff’s Office Captain Ronnie Miller said in the message. “Acquiring autopsy and toxicology reports, conducting evidence testing, holding interviews, obtaining search warrants, reviewing phone and internet records, and so on—each phase of the process takes time, manpower, and resources from multiple agencies. Without teamwork and persistence, this outcome would not have been possible.”

Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson said the investigation of the cases are a part of the Sheriff’s Prevention Partnership on Controlled Substances. The group is made up of local authorities, first responders, medical and mental health professionals and more, with the goal of developing a plan to locally combat the opioid epidemic. Tuesday’s release said the coalition is responsible for an increased push to expand awareness of opioid addictions and improve responses to overdoses.

“Our staff members take public health and safety seriously, and we recognize that drug abuse and addiction impacts us all. Law enforcement must continue working together with the community to create lasting change,” said Roberson. “As we unite, we must be willing to share resources, ideas, and experiences in order to make educated decisions on behalf of our families and shared community. We have to support one another.”

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that it has additional active drug-related investigation and more death by distribution charges could be possible in coming months.

The local magistrate assigned Wendel a $125,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court on the felony death by distribution charge on Monday, September 12.

Photo via the Chatham News + Record.

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Chatham Sheriff Announces Arrest in Connection to Chapel Hill Man’s Death

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