ROCKINGHAM — Another Richmond County resident has been accused of providing drugs that led to a fatal overdose.
An arrest warrant alleges that 27-year-old Deven Kade Freeman, on or about Nov. 19, 2024, sold 1.5 grams of the synthetic opioid fentanyl to someone who later died, with delivery of the drug being the “proximate cause” of death.
The victim is not named in the warrant, which was issued April 21.
Freeman was arrested May 6 and charged with aggravated death by distribution and possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance.
He was also served with an order for arrest, issued April 17, for failing to appear in court on drug charges — possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance — from a 2023 case.
Jail records show Freeman is also charged with assault with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering, and injury to real property, but the RO could find no associated court records.
Freeman also has several pending traffic violations, as well as a probation violation out of Montgomery County.
He is being held in the Richmond County Jail on a combined $308,1oo secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court May 29.
Court records show Freeman also has multiple pending traffic cases.
According to records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction, Freeman has the following previous convictions:
2016 - selling a Schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to sell a Schedule II controlled substance
2021 - possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, misdemeanor larceny
2023 - possession of a Schedule III controlled substance (Montgomery County)
Records show Freeman was given probation in each case.
Sarah Alexis McCumbee, also 27, was charged with death by distribution in late April. Investigators with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office confirm the cases are related to the same death.
McCumbee is being held on a $110,000 secured bond.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
