Myrtle Beach Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Heroin that Caused Overdose Death

Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., announced today that Caleb Wade Sexton, 22, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to selling a quantity of heroin and fentanyl that resulted in a March 12, 2019, overdose death in Myrtle Beach.

"These cases are too common in our state, and we will continue to swiftly and severely prosecute those who push drugs that kill others,” said U.S. Attorney McCoy. “This case is another example of the impressive work from our joint federal, and state partners, and in particular the local task force designed to disrupt and dismantle the flow of deadly opioids into the Myrtle Beach area.”

“Let it be known that those who bring this poison into our community and threaten the lives of those who live, visit and work in our great State will be held accountable,” said Chief Amy Prock of the Myrtle Beach Police Department.  “We will not stand by and let this happen. We will be intentional in our actions and we will not rest.”

Evidence presented to the court showed that on March 12, 2019, Sexton distributed a quantity of heroin and fentanyl to an individual who overdosed and died after using the drugs.  Officers quickly identified Sexton as the suspect in this overdose and developed a confidential source who, working at the direction of law enforcement, purchased quantities of heroin and fentanyl from Sexton on several occasions.  At the time of his arrest, Sexton was in possession of a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, and had a loaded Glock 27 pistol in the waistband of his pants.  A search of his vehicle revealed additional heroin and fentanyl, along with a Mini Draco .223 assault handgun loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.  A search warrant was executed on the day of the arrest at a warehouse suspected to be used to prepare the drugs for distribution.  There law enforcement located a bag of marijuana, a scale, two bags of clear capsules, and a stick suspected of being used to fill the capsules with illegal drugs. Sexton was ultimately charged with various violations of federal narcotics and firearms laws, and with distributing a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury.

Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced Sexton to 188 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Myrtle Beach Police Department, Horry County Police Department, and with the assistance of the Horry County Coroner’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Everett McMillian of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

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