Antuan J. Smith

The charges against the suspect behind a series of drug overdoses in Minot in January have been dismissed in North Central District Court as the case has been taken up by the federal government.

Antuan J. Smith, 25, Minot, is accused of distributing narcotics in Minot on Jan. 4 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 administered naloxone treatments and taken to Trinity Hospital to recover. The three men would later provide statements to law enforcement identifying Smith as the source of the narcotics, and that none of them had a history of heroin or fentanyl. The deceased female victim has not been identified at this time.

Smith appeared in North Central District Court on Thursday before Judge Richard Hagar, which ended with the filing of a proposed order to dismiss the four counts of distribution of illegal drugs resulting in death or serious injury, a Class A felony. The dismissal of charges at district and state level is required when a case is transferred to federal court as they no longer have jurisdiction over the matter.