Parsons Man Charged in Meth-Related Death - KOAM TV 7

One man is dead and another faces charges after a suspected meth overdose.

The charges stem from a new Kansas law concerning drug-related deaths. The suspect in this case faces distribution of meth charges and selling meth that caused a death. The law is new to Kansas this year... And as both families told me today, it was put in place to help those who have drug problems.

33 year old Neil Wayne Avery had his first appearance in Labette County District Court Tuesday morning..on charges stemming from the death of 50 year old Roland Wolverton.

"On August 29th, at about 10 O clock in the evening, my officers received a call of an individual that was unresponsive, and the individual was taken to the hospital where he later passed, and at that point, this investigation and the information that was given became a suspicious death." Parsons Police Chief, Scott Gofourth says.

Wolverton died early Friday morning. No official cause of death has been released but an autopsy is underway.

Both Avery and Wolverton have criminal pasts.

In 2002, Avery was charged with battery and criminal damage.

In 2001 Wolverton faced several drug related charges - including possession of marijuana and other controlled substances.

Situations involving drugs that result in death is the reason Kansas legislators put this law into effect this year.

"It was one that was pushed by law enforcement because of other deaths just like this one. " Gofourth says. "It is actually a level one crime. Which means its severity level is as great as it gets." he continues.

The Parsons Police Department are still investigating the case and more details are expected to be released soon.