Man pleads guilty in death by distribution case

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The District Attorney’s Office said a man will spend several years behind bars, following a death by distribution case.

On Wednesday, Michael Lawrence Walker, Jr., 33, plead guilty to Death by Distribution and Possession with Intent Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Officials said on May 7, 2023, deputies with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4000 block of Tesla Park Drive regarding a suspected overdose.

When deputies arrived, they found Hannah Holt unresponsive on the floor next to the sofa.

First responders attempted life saving measures, but she was pronounced dead.

Authorities said detectives located empty wax baggies that are commonly used to package fentanyl, stamped “Longmire” in a bag that belonged to Holt. Straws with white residue that tested positive for fentanyl were also found on scene.

Law enforcement seized Holt’s cell phone and extracted the contents.

Detectives located numerous text messages between Holt and Walker, where Walker agreed to sell and deliver the narcotics to Holt the night of the overdose.

Detectives located video from a doorbell camera from a neighboring apartment that showed Walker arriving at the
apartment at approximately 12:16 a.m. on May 7, 2023, and then leaving the apartment at approximately 12:27 a.m.

Authorities said text messages on Holt’s phone also showed that Walker told Holt, “please be easy on the bags” at 12:45 a.m. after he
left the apartment.

Cell phone records revealed the defendant attempted to contact Holt numerous times throughout the early morning hours on May 7, 2023, with no response from Holt.

The doorbell video footage showed Walker returned to the apartment at approximately 5:44 a.m. and left at approximately 6:47 a.m. after learning Holt had overdosed.

An autopsy performed on Holt determined her death was caused by fentanyl toxicity.

“Defendants who contribute to the death of another individual by dealing poison in our community will be held
accountable,” said District Attorney Jason Smith.

The judge sentenced Walker to between 6.9 to 9.3 years in prison, followed by 8 to 19 months, suspended, with supervised probation for
two years.

Walker is required to enroll and complete drug treatment during his term of supervision.