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JOHNSON CITY — An investigation conducted by the Johnson City Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation – Drug Related Death Task Force, with assistance from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, has led to the indictment of three individuals in connection to an overdose death.

The investigation focused on the death of Alexander Jordan Payne, 31, who was found deceased at his residence on Kaywood Court in Johnson City on December 19, 2023. The cause of his death was determined to be fentanyl and cocaine intoxication. Following an extensive inquiry, authorities identified Samantha Robinson, 34, Lavonti Montego Jeter, 38, and Macala Lynn Wheeler, 24, as individuals involved in the distribution of the drugs that led to Alexander Payne’s demise.

On May 1, the Washington County Grand Jury returned indictments against Robinson, Jeter, and Wheeler, charging each with one count of second-degree murder, one count of sale of fentanyl, and one count of conspiracy to sell/deliver fentanyl. Subsequently, all three suspects were arrested and booked into the Washington County Jail, each on a $50,000 bond.