Muncie man held on charge stemming from fatal overdose
MUNCIE, Ind. — A Muncie man has been been accused of providing the drugs that led to another Delaware County resident's fatal overdose.
Austin Lee Hinds, 23, was arrested in recent days on a preliminary count of dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison.
According to an affidavit, a witness said Hinds was present last Aug. 13 when a 42-year-old Muncie man fatally overdosed in a mobile home in the 9900 block of North Ind. 3.
A woman at the scene said Hinds provided her with Narcan — a medication used to offset the symptoms of an overdose — after the victim collapsed. The attempt to resuscitate the man failed,
An autopsy showed the victim had fentanyl and meth in his system at the time of his death, and died of "acute mixed drug intoxication."
More: Muncie woman found guilty of dealing drugs that led to fatal overdose
According to John Branson, an investigator with the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, a review of the overdose victim's cellphone reflected he and Hinds had discussed and arranged "the sale of illegal narcotics in the days leading up to (the man's death),"
Interviewed by Branson, Hinds reportedly acknowledged being at the northside mobile home last Aug. 13, but maintained he had left prior to the man's death.
However, location information tied to Hinds' cellphone indicated it was in the area at the time the man was believed to have overdosed, the affidavit said.
The court documents also said investigators recovered a safe that reportedly belonged to Hinds and contained fentanyl pills.
Hinds continued to be held in the Delaware County Jail on Tuesday under a $50,000 bond. Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman's office will determine what formal charges might be filed in the case.
Indiana court records reflect no prior criminal charges against Hinds.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie man accused of dealing drugs that led to overdose death
