An Elizabethton resident faces serious legal consequences following a tragic overdose incident in Carter County, Tennessee. The woman, Brooklyn Sue Collins, 23, has been implicated in a drug-related death, according to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

Earlier in 2024, Collins was apprehended due to her involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The CCSO recently expanded her charges to include second-degree murder and the illegal distribution of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The investigation, which began in November 2023, was initiated after a man was discovered dead in his home, the victim of a drug overdose. The CCSO revealed that investigators had examined the deceased’s cell phone, uncovering digital evidence that traced the fatal drugs back to Collins.

A Carter County Grand Jury delivered an indictment against Collins on November 3, marking a significant step in the ongoing legal proceedings.

An indictment charging Collins was handed down by a Carter County Grand Jury on Nov. 3.

On Wednesday, Collins was arrested and taken to the Carter County Detention Center. As of Thursday, Collins is being held on a $50,000 bond.

“Earlier this year, Collins was arrested in April in connection with an investigation into a drug trafficking conspiracy, which was code-named Operation Blue Skies. In that joint investigation by the Carter County Sheriff’s Office and the First Judicial District Drug Task Force, Collins was one of 10 individuals indicted on various charges relating to the trafficking of fentanyl.”

Collins was charged with the following in connection with the drug trafficking case, according to the CCSO:

• Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or more of controlled substance
• Possession of controlled substance 15 grams or more
• Sale of schedule II controlled substance

The CCSO reported that Collins is now the second person charged in “Operation Blue Skies,” who also faces a murder charge in connection with an overdose death linked to drug trafficking.

“I would like to commend my officers for their hard work and diligence in investigating overdose deaths and drug trafficking in our community,” Sheriff Mike Fraley said in the release. “Our officers are working constantly to identify and prosecute those who sell drugs, particularly those who sell drugs that lead to death. If you are dealing drugs, we will prosecute you. And, if you sell drugs to someone who overdoses and dies, you will be held accountable for their death.”

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are pending.