Accused Drug Dealer Sold Heroin To Fatal Overdose Victim: Feds

ATLANTA, GA — An Atlanta man has been indicted on federal charges of selling heroin to a person who subsequently died from an overdose on the drug. The indictment against Donquell Weddington, which also includes three counts of distributing heroin and cocaine in 2017 and 2018, is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia as part of Operation SCOPE.

“Weddington’s alleged heroin distribution led to a drug overdose which resulted in a death in our community,” said U.S. Attorney BJay Pak. “Operation SCOPE does not just apply to those who prescribe opioids, it also targets drug traffickers who allegedly distribute heroin, fentanyl, or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users. We have a zero tolerance for those who destroy lives through the distribution of drugs like heroin.”

According to prosecutors, Weddington sold heroin on the morning of April 10, 2017, to a person after spending days negotiating the drug deal by phone. Later that day, the buyer suffered a drug overdose in the lobby of an office building in Buckhead. The victim was rushed to Piedmont Hospital where the individual was treated for the overdose.

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After being released from the hospital, the individual went to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport to catch a flight to New York. Unfortunately, the victim collapsed at one of the gates and died the following morning from a heroin overdose, the feds state. Months later, Weddington allegedly sold heroin and cocaine on three separate occasions in the Northern District of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney's Office added.

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Weddington, 24, will be arraigned on the charges at a later date. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Atlanta Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Hartigan is prosecuting the case.

“We will not stand by and allow these criminals distributing drugs throughout our city to do so unchecked,” said Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields. “The relationship we have with our local, state and federal partners is invaluable and with them, we will continue the fight against the distribution of dangerous drugs in our communities.”

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