IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A man arrested for a death by distribution case starting in 2022 has been sentenced, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, 27-year-old Dakoda Michael Drake accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to 19-32 months for involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a Schedule I controlled substance, along with an additional 6-17 month sentence for a probation violation.
On July 23, 2022, deputies responded to an unresponsive man at 3898 Hickory Highway in Statesville. The victim, 26-year-old Julius Chance Gunter, was taken to a local hospital where he later died, officials said. Evidence determined Gunter’s cause of death was an accidental overdose.
According to deputies, Drake was arrested on Nov. 24, 2023, for felony death by distribution. He was previously charged with felony obstruction of justice and was already on probation for felony possession of a weapon by an inmate.
“Fentanyl is a deadly drug that is taking far too many lives, and we will continue to hold those who distribute it accountable. This poison has no place in our community, and we will use every resource available to keep it off our streets and out of the hands of our citizens.”
Sheriff Darren E. Campbell
