Catawba County Grand Jury Indicts Suspect For Death By Distribution

26-year-old Juan Sebastian Solarte has been indicted by a Catawba County Grand Jury for death by distribution and sale of schedule II controlled substance. On January 20, 2026, a Catawba County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Solarte in connection with the death of 26-year-old Jacob Lee Kirk.

Kirk was found deceased at his residence in February 2025. An autopsy conducted by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be fentanyl toxicity.

Following the indictment, Solarte was taken into custody on February 3 by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Boca Raton, Florida. Solarte is currently being held in the Palm Beach County Detention Center without bond pending extradition back to North Carolina.

Story: Rob Eastwooed-WHKY