A Bear man has been sentenced to prison in what authorities say is Delaware’s first homicide conviction against a fentanyl dealer for causing a fatal overdose.
James G. Watson, 42, was sentenced on June 10 in New Castle County Superior Court to a total of 15 years in prison, followed by probation. Watson received 11 years for a Manslaughter conviction and an additional 4 years for Drug Dealing, both stemming from a drug transaction that resulted in a fatal overdose in March 2024.
Watson had pleaded guilty to the charges on January 23. As part of his plea, he admitted that his actions recklessly caused the victim’s death. Prosecutors said the conviction was secured following an investigation that linked Watson to the sale of fentanyl that led to the fatal overdose.
According to investigators, Watson has been the subject of multiple narcotics investigations across New Castle County and has four prior felony drug dealing convictions.
