ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. -- Jury selection is underway in the second degree murder trial of 33-year-old Joshua Grappo, a Snead’s Ferry man accused of selling drugs that killed another Snead’s Ferry man.
- Grappo is accused of selling fentanyl to 31-year-old Joseph Daniel Allen, who died of an overdose on June 23, 2016.
- With his criminal background, prosecutors say he faces a maximum of 261 months in prison if convicted of just the second degree murder charge.
- Onslow County district attorneys are cracking down on heroin related cases.
Grappo is accused of selling fentanyl to 31-year-old Joseph Daniel Allen, who died of an overdose on June 23, 2016.
Grappo has been jailed since July 2016 and faces a slew of charges besides second degree murder including possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin.
With his criminal background, prosecutors say he faces a maximum of 261 months in prison if convicted of just the second degree murder charge.
Onslow County district attorneys are cracking down on heroin related cases.
"We got a tremendous problem down in Sneads Ferry,” said District Attorney for Onslow County Ernie Lee. "This office along with the sherriff’s office has been very aggressive, trying to find those individuals that are in fact selling and distributing these drugs."
Last year, Onslow County prosecutors reached a plea deal agreement with 23-year-old Jared Eddington who pleaded guilty to second degree murder related to a fentanyl overdose as well. The sentence was seven years in prison.