Kinston woman arrested on new drug trafficking charges while out on pretrial release for death by distribution
A woman out of jail on pretrial release for death by distribution was arrested Thursday by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office for felony warrants for trafficking opium or heroin, along with new charges for possessing Fentanyl and other narcotics.
Kristen Nicole Graham, 31, of Kinston, was arrested by the narcotics unit of the LCSO, along with the SCARR (Street Crimes and Rapid Response) team, when they executed a search warrant at a residence on Tilghman Mill Road. The arrest came as a result of a months-long investigation into the distribution of Fentanyl throughout Lenoir County.
Graham had four active felony arrest warrants for trafficking opium or heroin; manufacturing, selling and delivering those drugs; and possessing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. When she was arrested Thursday, she had more controlled substances in her possession.
She was transported to the Lenoir County Jail and charged with the following new charges:
• Five felony counts of trafficking opium or heroin
• Three felony counts of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance
• Two felony counts of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance
• Two felony counts of maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place with controlled substance
• Six counts of maintaining, selling, delivering and possessing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school
• Possessing drug paraphernalia
Graham received no bond, as she is on pretrial release for death by distribution. That charge came from an incident that occurred in the Lenoir County Jail where she concealed Fentanyl in a body cavity and distributed it to a female inmate, who later died in the jail. Forty-year-old Stephanie Osowski died Jan. 18, 2024, and Graham was charged with death by distribution for the crime by the N.C. SBI.
Graham was placed in jail under a $250,000 secured bond that was later reduced to $200,000; she was able to leave jail when she made bond.
“I’m extremely proud of our narcotics unit, which did a great job with this investigation,” Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers said. “They are doing an impressive job with getting dangerous drugs out of our community.”
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