Raleigh fentanyl dealer sentenced to 15 years in prison after woman's fatal overdose

NOTE: The attached video explains what people should know about fentanyl.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A convicted drug trafficker nicknamed “Bad News” faces prison time for the next 15 years, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.

Bad News, also known as Treveris Montel Coward, 31, of Raleigh, was sentenced Wednesday by a judge after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl in the Raleigh area, leading to to a sentence of 22 years. death of an old woman in April 2017.

Coward's sentencing comes more than 20 months after he pleaded guilty in October 2022, and this guilty plea came more than five years after the woman's overdose death, according to a DOJ release.

Not missing the opportunity to make a pun, United States Attorney Michael F. Easley said: “This defendant was the ultimate coward, helping an overdose victim and then selling to her a final lethal dose. Drug traffickers take note of this 15-year sentence: if your drug kills, you will pay a heavy price.”

The victim's death, Easley said, came the day after another overdose that she survived with Coward's help.

On April 10, 2017, Easley said the victim received suspected fentanyl from Coward's girlfriend, Amanda McLeod, before suffering an overdose.

Coward and his co-defendant Reginald Webb, who has since been sentenced to 16 years in prison for distributing fentanyl and heroin, were called to help the 22-year-old. Coward was found to have “provided aid” to the victim and she survived on April 10.

The next day, despite the overdose, Coward and Webb supplied him with more fentanyl, causing another overdose that led to his death, according to court documents.

“Coward distributed fentanyl to a vulnerable 22-year-old who was at risk of overdosing, which led to his tragic death,” said Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson. “The Raleigh Police Department will continue to investigate and apprehend prolific drug traffickers and will not back down in the fight against fentanyl.”

Coward will spend the next 15 years in prison, Webb will spend the next 16 years in prison, and McLeod is still awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to distribution of fentanyl and aiding and abetting in February 2021.

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