A Leominster man has been indicted on multiple charges including involuntary manslaughter, in connection with a fatal overdose that took place last year in Fitchburg, officials say. Eric Stone, 39, is accused of supplying drugs that led to the death of a 44-year-old man in June 2024, according to a recent announcement from Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
Following his arrest on January 24, Stone was arraigned in the Fitchburg District Court where a judge set his bail at $25,000 — since then, he has remained in custody. As per the details released by the District Attorney's Office, Stone faces charges of distribution of a class A substance, namely fentanyl and a distribution of cocaine. On the fateful day of June 20, 2024, it is believed that Stone provided the drugs to the victim shortly before his death, which subsequently triggered a response from State Police Detectives attached to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
The grand jury indictment last week now shifts Stone's case to the Worcester Superior Court, where he is set for arraignment on Monday. The formal charges underscore an ongoing crisis where dealers can be held criminally responsible for the outcomes tied to their products.
Drug-related deaths have been a critical concern in Worcester County, with fentanyl often taking center stage in the conversations about overdose fatalities. According to the District Attorney's Office, the case against Stone is a grim acknowledgement of the lethal, pervasive influence of this opioid, and, the role individuals like Stone allegedly play in the public health battle against substance abuse and overdose deaths.
