Bradford Jovanelly, 46, was handed the maximum sentence by Circuit Court Judge Debra R. McCaslin. The Thursday conviction is the first under a state law signed by Gov. Henry McMaster last year. It allows prosecutors to hold dealers legally responsible for fatal overdoses.
“For years our community wanted this law, needed this law,” said 11th circuit solicitor Rick Hubbard Holding. “Drug dealers responsible for the deaths they cause will hopefully help reduce the prevalence of these illegal narcotics in Lexington County. This conviction and sentence reflect our commitment to fully prosecuting those who choose to destroy our communities with fentanyl.”
Jovanelly was charged after a woman was found dead in her home last year from an overdose. Investigators with the Lexington Police Department used cell phone records to trace the lethal fentanyl back to Jovanelly, who later confessed to the sale after his arrest.
Jovanelly will not be eligible for parole.
