PITT COUNTY, NC – Two individuals have been arrested and charged in connection to the fentanyl overdose death of a woman found in a parking lot in Washington, NC.
Saraya Dejana Richardson, originally arrested on February 22 for Failure to Report a Death/Call 911, now faces an upgraded charge of Death by Distribution. Deputies discovered the body of 37-year-old Lijena V. Hickman after responding to a reported domestic disturbance at the Travel Store.
Following the discovery, a deeper investigation linked the fatal fentanyl dose to Archie L. Minor, 43, of Aurora. On April 3, detectives from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed search warrants at residences on Moss Lane in Washington and Adalia Road in Aurora. The search led to the seizure of:
57 grams of fentanyl
Three firearms, including one reported stolen
Minor was taken into custody by Pitt County detectives and charged with:
Death by Distribution
Possession of Heroin
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Additional charges from Beaufort County authorities include:
Possession of Stolen Firearm
Possession of Firearm by a Felon
Possess Weapon of Mass Destruction
Three counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin
PWIMSD Schedule II Controlled Substance
Minor remains jailed under a $3,765,000 secured bond, while Richardson is being held on a $175,000 bond.
The case was a result of collaboration between multiple agencies: Pitt County Sheriff’s Office (Major Crimes, Special Operations, Gangs & Guns, and Patrol Units), Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
