KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in a woman’s fatal drug overdose at a motel in Carter. Wesley Allen Lacey, 52, was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with the death that occurred on April 2, 2022.
Lacey’s sentencing comes after a two-day trial where prosecutors presented evidence that he had supplied the victim with drugs that led to her overdose. Despite efforts by emergency medical technicians to save the woman with naloxone, she tragically did not survive.
According to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office, Lacey admitted to purchasing drugs from a dealer, which he believed to be heroin but turned out to be fentanyl. The victim overdosed on the fentanyl that Lacey supplied, leading to her death.
The case shed light on the prevalence of fentanyl-related deaths in the community, with District Attorney Charme Allen stressing the need to address the influx of fentanyl to prevent further tragedies. Since 2016, fentanyl and its analogues have been the leading cause of overdose deaths in the area.
By holding individuals like Lacey accountable for their roles in drug-related deaths, law enforcement and prosecutors aim to combat the opioid crisis and save lives. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences of involvement in the distribution of dangerous substances like fentanyl.