IFN Staff 

A man who provided a fatal dose of fentanyl to a Statesville resident has been sentenced to 19 to 32 months in prison by an Iredell County Superior Court judge.

Dakoda Michael Drake, 27, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a schedule I controlled substance in connection with the July 25, 2022, death of Julius Chance Gunter. In addition to the 19-32 months in prison for that charge, Drake was also ordered to serve 6 to 17 months in prison for violating the terms of his probation.

Drake’s arrest stemmed from an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office investigation, which began on July 23, 2022, when deputies and Iredell County EMS responded to a call for an responsive male at 3898 Hickory Highway, Sheriff Darren Campbell said. Gunter, 27, was transported to a local hospital, where he passed away.

The case was assigned to Detective D. Wyatt of the ICSO Narcotics Unit. Through his efforts, Detective Wyatt identified Drake as the individual who supplied Gunter with suspected fentanyl, Campbell said.

Utilizing cellular phone data, witness statements, and medical records, investigators determined that Gunter’s cause of death was an accidental fentanyl overdose.

Following Drake’s conviction and sentencing, the sheriff emphasized the dangers of fentanyl.

“Fentanyl is a deadly drug that is taking far too many lives, and we will continue to hold those who distribute it accountable,” Campbell said. “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.”

Drake h was originally arrested in connection with Gunter’s death in November of 2023. After making bond, he was rearrested on April 23, 2024. He has been in custody in the Iredell County Detention Center since then.

With credit for time served, Drake has a projected release date of Wednesday, February 12, according to the N.C. Department of Corrections.