Shamel Nesbitt, Distributing Fentanyl Analogue, North Carolina 2017

Shamel Nesbitt, 32, a resident of Smithfield, North Carolina, has been convicted of distributing a mixture and substance containing cyclopropyl fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, where death resulted. This conviction comes after a lengthy investigation by the Smithfield Police Department and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.

According to court documents, Nesbitt was investigated in November 2017 for his involvement in the distribution of cyclopropyl fentanyl. The investigation began after Lucas Urbina, 20, overdosed on the substance and was rushed to the hospital by his friends. Hospital staff were able to revive Urbina, but he never regained consciousness and later died on November 22, 2017.

Further investigation revealed that a second friend of Urbina’s also suffered an overdose from using the same substance, but was able to regain consciousness after a short period of time. The friend left the hospital and was approached by law enforcement when he was attempting to get into a vehicle. He was searched and found to have a bag of suspected narcotics along with two syringes.

The bag of suspected narcotics was tested at the DEA Lab and found to contain a mixture of heroin, cyclopropyl fentanyl, benzoyl fentanyl, and caffeine. Text messages and dialed phone numbers showed that Urbina was reaching out to someone listed as “Mista” in his phone, who was later identified as Shamel Nesbitt.

Nesbitt’s Facebook account was accessed by law enforcement, which revealed messages between Nesbitt and Urbina where Urbina was attempting to buy drugs from Nesbitt. Multiple messages on Nesbitt’s Facebook page reference him by the nickname “Mista.” A search warrant was obtained for Nesbitt’s home, where law enforcement found heroin packaging material, nitrile gloves, and marijuana.

Nesbitt made statements to law enforcement that he saw Urbina that day but didn’t sell him any narcotics. However, the evidence presented in court led to his conviction of distributing a mixture and substance containing cyclopropyl fentanyl, where death resulted.

Nesbitt faces a minimum of 20 years in prison for this crime, and could receive a life sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for November.

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