Whatcom investigators reportedly followed text messages to arrest 3 in fatal overdose
A medical emergency, blue pills and text message threads led investigators to arrest three people last week for their alleged roles in a Whatcom County man’s fatal overdose that is believed to be linked to fentanyl.
Whatcom County Superior Court documents obtained by the Bellingham Herald show how the overdose death of Evan Parberry, 31, prompted investigators to arrest Brezedric Antowyn Jamerson, 50, Sheila Rochelle Johnson, 54, and Kim Mcwillis Ribble, 55, on suspicion of first-degree manslaughter and controlled substance homicide.
The Whatcom County Sheriff Office and the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force arrested Jamerson and Johnson on Tuesday, Aug. 11, and Ribble on Wednesday, Aug. 12, according to a sheriff’s office release on Wednesday. Jamerson also was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
Investigators found Parberry in the early hours of March 9 as they responded to a medical emergency call in the 1000 block Slater Road, documents state. He had already died when they got there, and they reportedly found crushed powder and an assortment of pills nearby.
Deputies recognized some of the pills as “blues,” counterfeit fentanyl laced blue pills with an “M 30” imprint that resemble pharmaceutical grade Oxycodone Hydrochloride 30 mg, according to documents. A later analysis from the state lab confirmed the drugs and the presence of fentanyl, and an autopsy determined the cause of death to be an overdose from fentanyl, cocaine and benzodiazepine.
Fentanyl, a highly potent opioid, can be 50 times stronger than heroin, and just five granule-sized grains can cause an adult to overdose, according to the Wednesday news release. “Blues,” as these fentanyl laced pills are commonly called, have been linked to multiple fatal overdoses in Whatcom County over the past year, the release stated.
A Thread
With a warrant, investigators searched Parberry’s phone and found a March 8 text message thread organizing a drug purchase, court documents show. Parberry had messaged Ribble to request “blues” and Xanax.
Ribble referenced her source of supply in the message thread, documents stated, and she said her source had just called and she would call them back.
“He’s got bars he’s selling way (too) cheap $4 a piece 42 of them $168 bucks,” the last message from Ribble read. “Usually 10-12 each. Bring it dove we hit the jackpot.”
Surveillance video showed Parberry leave his residence shortly after the last message, documents state, and from there, investigators were granted search warrants for phone messages and found Ribble had been in contact with two phone numbers while messaging Parberry.
One phone number had been listed in a law enforcement database as belonging to Johnson, according to documents. The other belonged to Jamerson, who later gave it to law enforcement after being arrested June 8 on suspicion of possession of approximately 195 “blues.” Both Johnson and Jamerson had previous felony convictions involving controlled substances.
Investigators determined Jamerson and Johnson were in a relationship and observed the couple leave Ribble’s residence in a vehicle July 7, documents state, and on July 19 investigators interviewed Ribble.
The Deal
Ribble reportedly admitted to sending the messages and arranging the March 8 drug deal. She told investigators Parberry paid for the narcotics and she received Xanax, Jamerson sold the “blues” to Parberry and Johnson provided her and Parberry with a “hit” from a crack cocaine pipe, court documents show.
Ribble also reportedly told investigators that she was not on good terms with Jamerson and thought his pills were going to kill a lot more people. However, she also told them she purchased cocaine from Johnson weekly and sold cocaine herself to a few people, according to documents.
Additionally, Ribble allegedly told investigators she knew the “blues” were dangerous, had advised Parberry not to take them and did not take them herself. Investigators found four pills resembling “blues” and a bar-style pill that resembled Xanax at her residence, according to documents.
Investigators arrested Jamerson and Johnson Tuesday, Aug. 11 at their Ferndale hotel room. Jamerson first denied the allegations but ultimately admitted to selling pills to Ribble, according to documents. He also denied knowing or having contact with Parberry.
Johnson reportedly admitted to selling and using cocaine. She also told investigators she sold cocaine to Ribble but denied knowing or having contact with Parberry, documents say.
Investigators searched Jamerson’s and Johnson’s phones and found drug-sales related messaging, according to documents. They also searched the hotel room and reportedly found about 100 blue “M 30” pills and $2,280 in cash.
At his first appearance in Whatcom County Superior Court Wednesday afternoon, Jamerson had his bail set at $200,000. Johnson had her bail set at $100,000. A no-contact order was put in place between the two of them. The court also set Ribble’s bail at $200,000 on Thursday, according to court logs.
All three remained in Whatcom County Jail as of Monday, Aug. 17.
.jpeg)