Horry County man sentenced to federal prison in overdose death of an autistic person
An Horry County man will head to federal prison for more than a decade for distributing drugs that resulted in the death of an autistic man.
Caleb Sexton was in federal court Wednesday, where he was sentenced to 188 months — a little more than 15 years in prison. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl and heroin resulting in death, according to court paperwork.
Sexton was indicted in July 2019 and investigators said the death happened on March 12.
According to Horry County Coroner Robert Edge, the victim was 22-year-old Chase Hutchison, who was discovered in his car in the parking lot of Coastal Grand Mall on March 14, 2019, the victim of a fatal overdose.
Edge released a statement on the death and conviction Wednesday night.
It read, in part: “We have heard cases of drug possession and distribution labeled ‘victimless crimes.’ We disagree. Chase was a 22-year-old autistic man. He wanted the things that everyone wants: a sense of belonging, friends to spend time with playing video games. Chase believed Caleb Sexton was his friend.
“ . . . The Horry County Coroner’s Office is honored to have partnered with Horry County Police Department, Myrtle Beach Police Department, the DEA, and the US Attorney’s Office in seeking justice for Chase. We think the message is clear: We will bring together the full power of our collective resources to hold accountable those who would bring dangerous drugs into our Horry County Community.”
Sexton’s indictment happened just months after Horry County police arrested Sexton on drug charges. In that case, police searched his home in the Myrtle Beach area and found heroin that was packed into gel caps, according to police. Officers seized three grams of heroin, a Glock 27 gun, a Draco gun and a 2006 Ford Focus.
This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 4:36 PM.
