Knoxville, Tennessee – A man convicted of second-degree murder in connection with a woman’s fatal overdose at a Knoxville County motel has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Knox County District Attorney’s Office.
Wesley Allen Lacey, 52, received the sentence to serve time in the Tennessee Department of Correction following Thursday’s ruling by DA Charme Allen’s office. This decision stems from Lacey’s involvement in the woman’s death at a Carter motel on April 2, 2022, where he was found guilty of providing the drugs that led to the fatal overdose.
The two-day trial highlighted how emergency responders were unable to reverse the overdose with naloxone administration. Additionally, Lacey confessed to supplying the lethal drugs to the victim, as confirmed by a Knox County Sheriff’s Office detective during the investigation.
Further details revealed that Lacey obtained the drugs from a dealer who had previous connections to overdoses. Despite originally seeking heroin, Lacey ended up delivering fentanyl to the victim, resulting in the tragic outcome. District Attorney Allen emphasized the prevalence of fentanyl-related deaths in the community and underscored the importance of combatting its circulation to save lives.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address the increasing prevalence of fentanyl-related deaths in the region. By prosecuting individuals involved in the distribution of these deadly substances, authorities aim to curb the rise of overdose fatalities and protect public health.