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Man Gets 20 Years for Fatal Fentanyl Dose
25 Jun
Summary
- Athens man pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a 20-year sentence.
- He was charged for allegedly giving a woman a fatal dose of fentanyl.
- Amerson waited over an hour before calling 911 after finding the victim unresponsive.
Gary Dale Amerson, 49, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on June 24, 2026, avoiding a murder trial. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in 2023. Prosecutors agreed to reduce the murder charge as part of a plea deal.
The incident took place at Amerson's residence in Athens. Deputies responding to an overdose call found an unresponsive woman. Investigators determined that Amerson waited more than an hour to contact emergency services after finding the victim in distress. He later administered Narcan, ate, and then called 911 approximately 20 minutes after discovery.
Amerson received credit for time served, having been held in the Limestone County Jail without bond since his arrest on July 26, 2023. Several other charges, including drug possession and firearm offenses, were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. A charge for promoting prison contraband was also dismissed.
