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

Bobby Alex Carr, a 41-year-old from Bluff City, has been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and distributing Schedule II narcotics, as announced by the Carter County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation kicked off on July 1, 2023, when deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a deceased individual at a home in Hampton. Evidence at the scene suggested drug activity, and it was determined by autopsy that the 53-year-old man died from a fentanyl overdose.

The deceased had reportedly obtained the fatal drugs from Thomas Farmer, a 52-year-old resident of Johnson City. Farmer received the same charges as Carr in March 2024. After his arrest, Farmer was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 4 to face the 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.”