Breaking Spotlight Marion man charged with death by distribution in 22-year-old's 2025 overdose death Mike Conley Mar 27, 2026 Mar 27, 2026 Updated Mar 30, 2026 0 Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A Marion man has been charged with death by distribution in the 2025 overdose death of a 22-year-old in McDowell County. kAmy2>6D rFCE:D y@9?D@?[ ce[ @7 |2C:@?[ :D 492C865 H:E9 76=@?J 562E9 3J 5:DEC:3FE:@?[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 2 ?6HD C6=62D6 7C@> E96 |4s@H6== r@F?EJ $96C:77VD ~77:46]k^Am James Curtis Johnson PHOTO SUBMITTED kAm~? yF=J `_[ a_ad[ |4s@H6== r@F?EJ $96C:77’D ~77:46 56AFE:6D C6DA@?565 E@ 2 C6D:56?46 :? }63@ :? C676C6?46 E@ 2 42C5:24 2CC6DE] s6AFE:6D 2?5 |4s@H6== r@F?EJ t>6C86?4J $6CG:46D A6CD@??6= @? D46?6 7@F?5 aa\J62C\@=5 v2CC6EE $96A2C5 5625[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 ?6HD C6=62D6]k^Am kAm~? u63] ``[ s6E64E:G6 |:4926= '2F89? C646:G65 E96 7F== 2FE@ADJ C6A@CE @? $96A92C5] %96 C6A@CE C6G62=65 E92E $96A92C5 5:65 7C@> E@I:4 =6G6=D @7 76?E2?J= 2?5 4@42:?6 :? 9:D DJDE6>[ E96 C6=62D6 D2:5] %96C6 H6C6 ?@ D:8?D @7 EC2F>2 @C :?;FCJ E@ E96 3@5J]k^Am People are also reading… Update: Old Fort man killed in motorcycle crash on I-40 identified 1 person killed in motorcycle crash on I-40 eastbound near Old Fort McDowell County Sheriff’s Office searching for missing classic car This new spot in Marion is offering locally grown food and beer, run by farmers and a brewer This WNC family lost their home in Hurricane Helene. 19 months later, they're getting a new one. Morganton man charged with raping child; placed under $1 million bond City of Marion issues water shortage advisory due to drought McDowell high school victim testified before former guidance counselor pleads guilty to sex crimes Ingles board fight: Proxy advisors back Sackler-linked firm for board Trump safe after being rushed from White House correspondents dinner; shooter in custody Walt Bagwell named Marion’s Main Street Champion. "His contributions make a meaningful difference." McDowell County Schools alum went from Battle of Books to biomedical engineering 5 questions answered about the trial of former McDowell High counselor Jessica Finley U.S. Department of Agriculture declares 2026 drought a disaster for western NC FEMA provides $1.4 million to rebuild from Old Fort’s Hurricane Helene damage kAms6E64E:G6D 56E6C>:?65 E92E y@9?D@? H2D C6DA@?D:3=6 7@C 8:G:?8 5CF8D E@ $96A92C5[ E96 D96C:77VD @77:46 D2:5]k^AmkAm“%9:D 42D6 :D 2 EC28:4 C6>:?56C @7 E96 5625=J 4@?D6BF6?46D E:65 E@ 76?E2?J= 2?5 :==682= 5CF8 5:DEC:3FE:@?[” r9:67 s6AFEJ }2E92? |246 D2:5 :? E96 C6=62D6] “(96? :?5:G:5F2=D 49@@D6 E@ D6== @C D92C6 E96D6 DF3DE2?46D[ E96J 2C6 AFEE:?8 =:G6D 2E C:D< — 2?5 :? E9:D 42D6[ :E 4@DE 2 J@F?8 >2? 9:D =:76] (6 H:== 4@?E:?F6 E@ H@C< E:C6=6DD=J E@ 9@=5 E9@D6 C6DA@?D:3=6 244@F?E23=6 2?5 D66< ;FDE:46 7@C E96 G:4E:>D 2?5 E96:C 72>:=:6D]”k^Am kAmy@9?D@? H2D 2CC6DE65 @? |2C49 ac] w6 H2D :DDF65 2 D64FC65 3@?5 @7 Se__[___[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 ?6HD C6=62D6]k^Am kAmy@9?D@? :D :??@46?E F?E:= AC@G6? 8F:=EJ :? 2 4@FCE @7 =2H]k^Am 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Mike Conley Staff Writer Author email Follow Mike Conley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Most Popular McDowell County Sheriff’s Office searching for missing classic car It was last seen parked in the owner’s garage off Bethel Church Road on Thursday, April 16. Morganton man charged with raping child; placed under $1 million bond The Burke County Sheriff’s Office said it received a report of a sexual assault on April 14. After an investigation, warrants were issued. McDowell high school victim testified before former guidance counselor pleads guilty to sex crimes “A predator was lurking behind the walls of the counseling office, waiting for a victim,” the victim's sister said. 5 questions answered about the trial of former McDowell High counselor Jessica Finley The case went to trial last week. Testimony began April 15. After the victim testified in court on Thursday, Jessica Patrick Finley pleaded gu… Former McDowell High volleyball coach, counselor pleads guilty to child sex crimes mid-trial Jessica Finley pleaded guilty on Thursday on the second day of testimony in the trial against her. Watch Now: Related Video N.C. Wildlife ranger teaches students about black bears See High school students release trout in Catawba River tributary See High school students release trout in Catawba River tributary Hickory High School students share their experience raising trout Hickory High School students share their experience raising trout Putin, in call with Trump, put forward ideas on Iran, Kremlin says Putin, in call with Trump, put forward ideas on Iran, Kremlin says Recommended for you
Mike Conley Staff Writer Author email Follow Mike Conley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
McDowell County Sheriff’s Office searching for missing classic car It was last seen parked in the owner’s garage off Bethel Church Road on Thursday, April 16.
Morganton man charged with raping child; placed under $1 million bond The Burke County Sheriff’s Office said it received a report of a sexual assault on April 14. After an investigation, warrants were issued.
McDowell high school victim testified before former guidance counselor pleads guilty to sex crimes “A predator was lurking behind the walls of the counseling office, waiting for a victim,” the victim's sister said.
5 questions answered about the trial of former McDowell High counselor Jessica Finley The case went to trial last week. Testimony began April 15. After the victim testified in court on Thursday, Jessica Patrick Finley pleaded gu…
Former McDowell High volleyball coach, counselor pleads guilty to child sex crimes mid-trial Jessica Finley pleaded guilty on Thursday on the second day of testimony in the trial against her.
