Columbia man sentenced for role in fatal fentanyl overdose death

Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)

Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– A Columbia man was sentenced to 10 years to prison after pleading guilty to distribution of fentanyl, says the DOJ.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on April 22, 2022, Brewer and the victim, R.B., discussed the exchange of drugs and that Brewer sent R.B. a picture with a syringe loaded with the drugs, which Brewer subsequently gave to R.B.

According to investigators, when Brewer did not hear back from R.B., he drove down the road where he knew R.B. had planned to use the drugs and found him unresponsive in his vehicle.

Paramedics responded, but R.B. later died.

Officials say a pathology report determined the victim’s cause of death was mixed drug toxicity including toxic levels of fentanyl.

The pathologist stated but for the fentanyl in the R.B.’s body, he most likely would not have died.

Brewer was sentenced to 120 months in prison to be followed by three years of court-ordered supervision.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.