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Austin Tyler Ball sentenced to a minimum of 50 months in NC Dept. of Corrections

 

COLUMBUS—On Tuesday, February 25, a Mill Spring man pled guilty to death by distribution and other drug charges in Polk County Superior Court.

Austin Tyler Ball, 32, pled guilty to charges of death by distribution, the possession and sale of fentanyl, and possession of a controlled substance in jail, according to a press release from District Attorney Andrew Murray. Judge Peter Knight sentenced Ball to a minimum term of 50 months and a maximum term of 72 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections.   

Court records show that on October 7, 2023, officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to a scene at an alleyway on Mills Street where a man was lying unconscious. Despite the efforts bof first responders to save the unconscious male, he died at the scene. Drug paraphernalia was found near the body, and an overdose was suspected. 

An autopsy later concluded that the victim died from fentanyl toxicity. 

The press release states that Ball was a suspect early on due to eyewitnesses putting him and the victim together just prior to the call for service. Physical evidence, including text messages and a video recording, revealed that Ball sold fentanyl to the victim. 

Murray thanked the Columbus Police Department and lead Officer Lt. Cody Gordon for their professional and thorough investigation of the case. 

“[Gordon’s] office is dedicated to fighting back against those pushing the poison that has claimed far too many lives in our community,” Murray said.