CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A man has been charged with second-degree murder after a fatal overdose in Carter County in July 2023.

The Carter County Sheriff’s Office reports Bobby Alex Carr, 41, of Bluff City, was indicted and charged with second-degree murder and the sale of Schedule II narcotics.

According to a news release from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation began on July 1, 2023 after deputies were called to a Hampton home following a 911 call about a dead man. Investigators reportedly found evidence to suggest drugs had been used in the home, and an autopsy revealed the 53-year-old’s cause of death to be a fentanyl overdose.

The victim reportedly bought the drugs that led to his death from Thomas Farmer, 52, of Johnson City. Farmer was indicted on the same charges as Carr in March 2024 and arrested. Farmer later posted a $50,000 bond and is set to appear in court on Aug. 4 for his charges.

The sheriff’s office learned Farmer bought the drugs from Carr before selling them to the victim, according to the release.

Evidence against Carr was presented to the Carter County Grand Jury, leading to indictments against him on July 10. Carr was arrested on July 11.

“This has been a very extensive investigation as the officers worked to track the flow of the drugs that caused this man’s death,” Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley said. “I would like to commend my officers for their hard work and diligence in pursuing this investigation.

“Our officers are working constantly to slow down the flow of drugs into our community and to identify and prosecute those who sell drugs. If you deal drugs, we will prosecute you. And if you sell drugs to someone who overdoses and dies, you will be held accountable for their death.”