Two groups that help families whose children have died from fentanyl overdoses came together on Tuesday to show their support. This happened while a person charged with death by distribution made a short appearance in Wilson County Criminal Superior Court.
Wilson’s Moms on a Mission and the Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina had people in the courtroom when Albert Green, 23, of Wilson, and his lawyer, Will Farris, showed up.
Jacob Puente Castro, 17, died of an overdose on September 25. Green is charged with crime death by distribution in his death.
Other charges against Green include selling and delivering a Schedule II controlled substance, having a Schedule II controlled substance in his possession, keeping a vehicle, home, or other place used for controlled substances, and having a Schedule II controlled substance in his possession with the intent to make, sell, or deliver it.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Green’s case was put off until December 10. He is no longer in jail after making a $100,000 bond.
Families of children who died from fentanyl deaths are trying to get the word out that there is a rise in fentanyl poisonings in Wilson, the state, and the country as a whole.
Felicia Puente Castro and Isaac Puente Castro, Jacob’s parents, said that seeing Green in court made them angry.
This was what Felicia Puente Castro said outside the Wilson County Courthouse: “Seeing him did not feel good.” “Seeing him makes it hard to believe that one person could do so much harm.”
“The love of our life,” the mother said of her son.
She said, “Today is hard, but I see it as a good day that we prayed for.” “This is another step toward justice for us and the people who are helping us.” We want the truth.
The dad held up a sign with the names and pictures of seven people who had died from fentanyl overdoses, including Jacob Puente Castro.
“We just want justice to be done,” Isaac Puente Castro said. “Not just for our son, but for everyone who supported us.”
Liz Puente Castro said, “I want this person, Albert Green, to be held accountable for what he has done.” “I want our DA, Jeffrey Marsigli, to do his job.
He is in charge of Wilson County, Edgecombe County, and Nash County.” I want him to make this case more important. As for Wilson, Edgecombe, and Nash, I want him to do everything he can to make this neighborhood clean.
Felicia Puente Castro said she doesn’t want any more young people to die from fentanyl.
It was over for them, she said. “Our babies won’t get to be held.” We won’t be able to go to their weddings. They will no longer be here for our Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s, or their birthdays. We get to see our kids less and less.
Patricia Harris Atkinson of Wilson is a member of Moms on a Mission. Her son Al Douglas Langston III died from fentanyl on April 3, 2020. She said she felt moved to help the Puente Castro family and bring attention to the overdoses happening in Wilson and nearby counties.
Atkinson said, “We help each other.” “We have a special place for families who are going through the same thing we are: losing a child because they thought they were getting one pill but got one that was laced with fentanyl.”
That’s why we help each other. To help Felicia with court costs, we’re here. We’re here for all the moms and families who have lost someone.
Barb Walsh of Raleigh started the Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina a year after his daughter Sophia Walsh died on August 16, 2021, from using fentanyl.
Walsh said, “The most important thing is to help each other.” I read that fentanyl has killed more than 18,000 people in North Carolina.
Walsh said that parents of people who have overdosed on fentanyl often feel alone.
“A bottle of water was drunk by Sophia.” “She died because it had fentanyl in it,” Walsh said. It was like she was all by herself and had no idea what fentanyl was or how to spell it.
Fifteen people who have lost loved ones to fentanyl sat together in court on Tuesday.
“More people means more strength,” Walsh said. “The DA is going to see these families.” There are police who check on the homes. When the lawyers for murderers see all of us in court, they say, “OK, we need to do something about this.” The judge also sees it.
Walsh said that “the needle is moving” between the two groups.
People in the family don’t want more people to die.
Walsh would like stricter rules to be used to punish people who sell harmful substances.
We can’t let anyone else in the US sell something that kills people, Walsh said. “What does it matter? It could be fentanyl or embalming fluid.” If it kills someone, the person who did it should be charged and jailed.
Walsh talked about a rule in North Carolina that was passed in May 2023 and makes it a felony to have a pill press if it’s used to make drugs.
Walsh said, “From what we see and know, fentanyl is very cheap. It’s cheaper than drugs grown on land, like heroin or cocaine.” They choose to use cheaper drugs because that’s how business people who sell controlled substances do it.
They are going to use fentanyl instead of cocaine. Not able to tell the difference. The same as heroin. That means they make more money.
Walsh said that the drug dealer only cares about making money and that “it’s someone else’s life and they don’t care.”
She said that drug dealers can use pill presses to make thousands of pills that are mixed with fentanyl and are often sold as fake prescription drugs.
In other words, Walsh said, “It’s just like a chocolate chip cookie.” “We have no idea where the chocolate chips will end up.” The fentanyl in the pill hasn’t been tracked yet. It’s easy to cut in half. Someone takes a half, and someone else takes a half. Someone dies. One person lives.