Sage Wright, 23, received a prison sentence of 20 to 27 years on February 6, 2026, after pleading guilty to charges including trafficking opium, two counts of death by distribution, and possession of a weapon of mass destruction. His actions led to the fentanyl overdose deaths of two Gaston County teens, Nicholas Collins (16) and Clint “CJ” Herd Jr. (17), on January 10, 2023, in Belmont, North Carolina.
Case Background
Collins and Herd met Wright while walking a dog to purchase what they believed were safe pills, but the drugs contained lethal fentanyl levels, confirmed by autopsy. Police later seized over 350 blue counterfeit tablets, six handguns (one illegally modified Glock), baggies, and scales from Wright, linking him directly to the fatal transaction.
Sentencing Details
Under the plea deal, Wright was credited for three years in pre-trial detention and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine. In court, he apologized, crediting the tragedy with his personal growth, though families emphasized the irreversible loss of their sons’ futures.
Family Impact
Collins’ mother, Alesha, highlighted fentanyl’s dangers as far from victimless, while Herd’s sister, Logan Hardin, described CJ’s vibrant personality—his infectious laugh and big dreams—rejecting any reduction to mere statistics. The emotional courtroom statements underscored the human cost beyond legal charges.
