STILLWATER, Minn. (WCCO) — A 21-year-old Oakdale woman is accused of providing methadone to a 23-year-old man who overdosed and died on Aug. 1, 2012.
On Thursday, the Washington County Attorney’s Office announced that Emily Katherine Frye was charged with third-degree murder in the overdose death of Frank Eck, of Scandia.
According to the criminal complaint, Eck and Frye exchanged text messages before they met in Scandia, where Frye allegedly sold Eck the methadone. Later, when learning of Eck’s overdose death, Frye allegedly said, “I knew I shouldn’t have sold him those methadone.”
Pete Orput is the Washington County Attorney.
“We have had a rash of overdose deaths, not just in Washington County, but all through the metro area in the last year and a half,” said Orput. “People need to be aware that providing another person with a controlled substance can make them responsible for whatever may happen to the person receiving that drug, including the death of that person. The victim had an addiction problem and was vulnerable as a result. The blame for his death, however lies squarely at the feet of the drug dealer.”
If convicted of the felony charge, Frye could face a maximum potential sentence of 25 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.
