Suspected drug dealer charged with murder in overdose death

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – For the first time in the Wilmington Police Department’s history, police say a suspected drug dealer is charged with murder.

Aquan De’Shae Richardson, 25, is charged with second degree murder, among other charges.

Police say Richardson sold drugs to Joshua Adams McBride, who died in May as a result of an illegal drug overdose. Detectives believe Richardson distributed the narcotics knowing they would likely cause serious injury or death.

Richardson has additionally  been charged with  four counts of possession with the intent to sell/deliver heroin, two counts of sell/deliver heroin, two count of sell/deliver a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school, one count of sell/deliver a counterfeit controlled substance, possession with the intent to sell/ deliver a counterfeit controlled substance and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia.

Richardson is in the New Hanover County Jail under a $5,500,000 bond.