Man charged with murder out on bond
Tue, 12/19/2023 - 3:49pm
admin
By:
Jacob Colangelo, contributing writer
On Wednesday, Dec. 13, Thomas Bennett was charged with second degree murder and distribution of a controlled substance.
Bennett, 47, of Peace Valley, was charged murder after allegedly causing the overdose death of an individual by supplying them with drugs. According to the probable cause statement filed by Investigator Derek Hughston of the South Central Drug Task Force an unnamed victim was found deceased within a West Plains residence from an apparent overdose of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The cause of death was listed as “acute fentanyl, buprenorphine and ethanol intoxication,” according to court documents. Bank records and messages found through the victim’s Facebook account indicated that Bennett and another unnamed individual supplied the victim with drugs—which they later admitted to doing.
Following his arrest on Dec. 14, Bennett posted a surety bond at $100,000 and was released from the Howell County Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 15. A new court date is scheduled for Jan. 2, 8:30 a.m., at the Howell County Circuit Court, 106 Courthouse, West Plains.