A Minot man has been charged with four Class A felony counts of distribution of illegal drugs resulting in death or serious injury.

Antuan J. Smith, 25, of Minot, is accused of distributing narcotics in Minot on Thursday to four individuals who believed they were purchasing cocaine. One of the individuals was reported to have died of an overdose, and three others were treated at a hospital.

According to court documents, officers responded to the scene of a 911 call at a southeast Minot residence, where they found a female overdose victim and a bag of white powder. About four and half hours later, authorities were called to the scene of another overdose in northwest Minot, where three male victims were found, and administered doses of Narcan or naloxone, an over-the-counter opioid overdose treatment.

The male victims were transported to Trinity Health for treatment and would later provide statements and information to law enforcement identifying Smith as the source of the narcotics. The three men all told investigators they believed the illicit substance to be cocaine and none of them had a history of using heroin or fentanyl. According to the affidavit, investigators recovered communications from the female victim’s phone that coordinated the purchase of the drugs with a number they determined to be Smith’s. Investigators also found communications between Smith and the male victims, in which Smith assured them that it was “uncut.” Smith would later allegedly message one of the victims on Friday asking, “Is it good?”

Smith made his initial appearance in North Central District Court Monday before Judge Richard Hagar. Ward County State’s Attorney Roza Larson confirmed at the hearing that the female overdose victim in the case had passed away. She has not been identified at this time.

Hagar ordered the recommended bond conditions sought by Larson of $100,000 cash or corporate surety. Hagar also ordered that should Smith make bond that he have maximum supervision requirements and submit to twice weekly testing. A no-contact order and 150 feet distance provision with the victims and their families also was ordered.

Police previously have reminded the public that the Good Samaritan Law provides protection from prosecution for those calling for emergency assistance in the event of an overdose. To be immune from prosecution, call 911, remain onsite until assistance arrives and cooperate with law enforcement and emergency medical service personnel.

Monday’s court hearing came the same day as an announcement from North Dakota Health and Human Services that it has issued a standing order making naloxone available at no cost to North Dakota Medicaid members. According to the HHS release, the agency has paid for more than 200 prescriptions of naloxone in a three-month period.

“Naloxone is a critical tool in addressing the overdose epidemic,” said HHS Medical Services Division Director Sarah Aker in the release. “Making this life-saving medication available at no cost means more Medicaid members will have a meaningful chance to receive services and supports to improve their health and well-being.”