Two Charlotte County residents were recently sentenced to 194 total years of prison time for their roles in the 2020 fatal overdose of a Virginia Beach, Va. resident. Harrison M. Overcash, 27, died at a residence in Saxe, Va. on June 13, 2020, after administering a fatal dose of a Schedule I/II narcotic.
As a result of an investigation conducted by the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force in partnership with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Dianna Jannette Connelly, 51, of Saxe, Va., and Jacob C. Boyer, 40, of Charlotte Court House, Va., were identified as the suppliers of the narcotic that was sold to Overcash and caused his death. Based on evidence collected and analyzed during the investigation by the Virginia State Police High-Tech Crimes Division and Virginia Department of Forensic Science, the Charlotte County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney was able to demonstrate that Overcash died of a lethal, mixed dosage of heroin, fentanyl and diazepam that originated out of North Carolina, was sold by Connelly in Prince Edward County, and delivered by Boyer at Connelly’s direction to Overcash in Charlotte County.
In all criminal cases, the Commonwealth bears the burden to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt. In narcotic distribution cases the Commonwealth also must establish the type of controlled substance that was distributed in addition to identity of the accused, and jurisdiction.
“This narcotic investigation, prosecution and subsequent sentencings were unique because the character of the controlled substance was established by statements made by both co-defendants, corroboration of text messages between the primary distributor (Connelly) and Overcash, and the decedent’s autopsy toxicology report. Normally in narcotics cases, the controlled substance is submitted to the Department of Forensic Science for analysis. In this case, the crime scene had been cleaned of any controlled substances. Also unique to this case was the establishment of the offense timeline by use of Boyer’s delivery confirmation to Connelly, the 911 call record by the decedent’s girlfriend, and the Medical Examiner’s Report.,” said Charlotte County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Leslie E. Schneider.
A Charlotte County grand jury indicted Connelly in April 2021 on one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute a Schedule I/II controlled substance, one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute a Schedule IV controlled substance, one felony count to conspire to distribute a Schedule IV controlled substance, two felony counts of possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance and one felony count to conspire to distribute a Schedule I/II controlled substance. When she failed to appear in court on these charges, the Virginia State Police connected with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate her. Connelly was taken into custody months later at a location in Virginia Beach. Of the 144 years she was sentenced by a Charlotte County Circuit Court Judge on Feb. 28, 2024, Connelly will serve 23 years in jail.
The grand jury also indicted Boyer in April 2021. He was served with one felony count of possession with intent to manufacture a Schedule I/II controlled substance, one felony count of distribution of a Schedule IV controlled substance, one felony count to conspire possession with the intent to manufacture a Schedule I/II controlled substance and one felony count to conspire to distribute a Schedule IV controlled substance. Of the 50 years he was sentenced by a Charlotte County Circuit Court Judge on April 8, 2024, Boyer will serve four years.
“This entire case and subsequent guilty pleas were the direct result of the exceptional investigative efforts by the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force and supporting local and state departments. Further, this case serves as a powerful demonstration of how Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force and the Charlotte County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office will work together to bring drug dealers to justice and justice to victim’s families.” Schneider said.
“The family of Harrison Overcash is extremely grateful for the tireless efforts of the Charlotte County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and law enforcement in bringing these criminals to justice,” said Diana Glasier, mother of Harrison Overcash. “As we continue to grieve this tragic loss, the successful conviction offers a sense of closure for us and reinforces our faith in the justice system.”
The Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, the Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office.