Man sentenced in Kershaw County’s first overdose death conviction linked to drug distribution

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Photo: Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office press release

KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– Fifth Judicial Circuit officials said a man has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I or II controlled substance.

Ryan Clayton Bowers was sentenced to 5 years in a South Carolina Department of Corrections facility.

Bowers’ plea agreement marks the first involuntary manslaughter conviction in Kershaw County under a death-by-distribution theory, according to the solicitor’s office.

On Jan. 4, 2024, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive male at a Camden home.

Law enforcement found the victim, Phillip “PJ” Guinn, deceased from a narcotics overdose.

Investigators discovered a mini zip-lock bag with fentanyl near the victim, said officials.

A text thread showed Guinn asking Bowers for Suboxone strips.

Evidence indicated that when Bowers realized he did not have Suboxone strips, he provided Guinn fentanyl instead, attempting to replicate the effect despite the risk of overdose.

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