Woman sentenced to decade in prison for selling drugs that led to man's overdose death

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A woman accused of selling the deadly drug fentanyl mixed with heroin will spend years in prison after pleading guilty on Thursday afternoon.

Amanda Allen fought back tears in court as she spoke to the judge and the mother of the victim, who was found dead four hours after taking fentanyl in May 2017 in Huntersville.

Allen listened as prosecutors described the deadly overdose.

Assistant District Attorney Desmond McCallum explained to the judge how Billy Bullabough’s mother knew something was wrong when she saw messages on her son’s Facebook the day of his death.

Allen pleaded guilty to both involuntary manslaughter and possession with intent to sell and deliver a Schedule II drug.

The judge sentenced Allen to 10 years in prison.

Bullabough’s mother had an opportunity to address Allen in court.

“I don’t care how much time you get, it will never be enough,” Theresa Helms said. “It is never going to replace what you have done to my life and my heart.“

Allen’s attorney told the judge she has dealt with substance abuse issues for more than two decades.

Allen apologized to the victim’s family.

“I’ll never forgive myself for this,” Allen said. “I can only offer my sincere regrets and deepest apologies. I’m so sorry.”

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that drug overdoses killed more than 70,000 Americans in 2017.

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