Two people have been sentenced to significant prison terms in connection with the December 2024 fentanyl-related death of 26-year-old Dustin Banks.
This week, Paige Nicole Andrews, 28, of Lacombe, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter before Judge John Keller. Judge Keller sentenced Andrews to 35 years at hard labor with the Louisiana Department of Corrections.
Her co-defendant, Dustin Michael Carver, 25, of Slidell, was sentenced to 15 years at hard labor on February 23 for his role in the distribution of fentanyl. Under the terms of Carver’s sentence, five years are to be served without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
The case began on December 6, 2024, when the DEA Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT) responded to a suspected overdose at a residence in Slidell. Investigators recovered a plastic bag containing a white powder in the victim’s bedroom, which laboratory testing later confirmed was a lethal mixture of fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and heroin.
Through a multi-agency investigation involving digital forensics and surveillance analysis, authorities tracked the victim’s final communications. Records revealed that Andrews and the victim had arranged a narcotics transaction on the evening of December 5. Surveillance footage from "The Bluffs" community captured a white Nissan SUV, driven by Carver with Andrews as the passenger, arriving at the victim’s residence just minutes before the victim messaged friends stating he had obtained "dope."
Cell phone data later retrieved from Carver’s phone included incriminating messages from Andrews expressing fear of being identified as the supplier following the news of the victim’s death.
During the sentencing hearing for Andrews, the victim’s mother delivered a heart-wrenching impact statement directly to the defendant.
"He just got out of rehab, and five days later, you came to my house and delivered fentanyl to him. I found him aspirating in bed," she said. "You're selling fentanyl...something you know can instantaneously kill someone. You were still selling the stuff - even after my son died. You took something precious from us. You're selling something that's killing people."
Following the statement, Andrews addressed the family, saying, "I’m sorry for what happened. Dustin was very kind...and I’m sorry."
"Fentanyl is a poison that is tearing families apart in our community," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "In this case, the defendants knew the lethality of the substance they were distributing, yet they chose profit over human life. These lengthy sentences send a clear message: if you distribute these deadly drugs in St. Tammany and/or Washington Parishes and someone dies, we will hold you fully accountable .”
