South Carolina’s First Conviction for Fentanyl-Induced Homicide sends a Lexington County Drug Trafficker to Prison for 30 years

Lexington, SC 07/24/2026 - Bradford Wayne Jovanelly, age 46, pled guilty to Fentanyl-Induced Homicide on Thursday, July 23, 2026, in what is believed to be the first conviction under the law since Governor Henry McMaster signed it into effect in May of 2025. Circuit Court Judge Debra R. McCaslin sentenced Jovanelly to the maximum sentence of thirty (30) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Jovanelly was also sentenced to a concurrent twenty-five (25) years for Trafficking Methamphetamine. Under South Carolina law, both convictions are classified as violent and serious offenses. Jovanelly will not be eligible for parole.

Solicitor Rick Hubbard commented that “for years our community wanted this law, needed this law. Holding drug dealers responsible for the deaths they cause will hopefully help reduce the prevalence of these illegal narcotics in Lexington County. This conviction and sentence reflect our commitment to fully prosecuting those who choose to destroy our communities with fentanyl.”

Assistant Solicitor Jordan Cox handled the prosecution of this case for the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The case was investigated jointly by the Lexington Police Department and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team (“NET”).

On July 24, 2025, the victim was found deceased in her home of an accidental overdose. Investigators with the Lexington Police Department were able to locate cell phone communications identifying Jovanelly as the person who sold the fentanyl to the victim. An autopsy confirmed the victim ingested a fatal dose of the supplied drug, resulting in her death.

Investigators were able to arrest Jovanelly at his home where they located further evidence of drug trafficking and Jovanelly, post arrest, admitted to selling the fentanyl to the victim. At the time of his arrest, Jovanelly was out on bond for other felony drug offenses, including Trafficking Methamphetamine and Trafficking Fentanyl. His prior criminal record includes convictions for Burglary and Impersonating Law Enforcement.

“This death is a tragic reality that our community faces every single day as we grapple with fentanyl and other dangerous drugs,” remarked Assistant Solicitor Cox. “This first conviction and sentence under the new law show exactly what her death was – a homicide. Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively prosecute those who choose to prey on our vulnerable residents and spread poison in our communities.” 

According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, there were seventy-four (74) fatal fentanyl overdoses in 2025. Under the law passed last year, Fentanyl-Induced Homicide carries a maximum punishment of thirty (30) years in prison and requires State prosecutors to prove that fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance was the proximate cause of death for the victim. The victim’s voluntary ingestion of fentanyl is not a legal defense under this new law.  

Jovanelly will be transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to serve his prison sentence.