Woman Who Trafficked Fentanyl In Area Sentenced To Federal Prison

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson, on Thursday, released a summary of notable prosecutions and enforcement actions pursued during the recent lapse in federal appropriations. One of the convictions involved an individual who trafficked fentanyl in and around Catawba County and sold the drug to a teenager who died as a result of an overdose.

26-year-old Madison Dare Winslow of Lincolnton was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for selling fentanyl that caused a teenaged victim to fatally overdose. The announcement was made by announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Chief Tyler Whisenant of the Maiden Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making the announcement.

According to court records and the sentencing hearing, Winslow was trafficking fentanyl in and around Catawba County. On February 14, 2022, Winslow sold fentanyl-laced pills to a 17-year-old that were pressed to appear as prescription pills containing oxycodone hydrochloride. On February 16, 2022, the minor ingested one or more of the pills sold to him by Winslow, causing the victim to fatally overdose. Based on the minor’s autopsy and toxicology report, the cause of the victim’s death was fentanyl toxicity.

Court records show that law enforcement interviewed Winslow regarding her connection with the victim’s fatal overdose. Winslow admitted to selling the pills to the victim and to knowing that the pills likely contained fentanyl. Worse, Winslow continued to traffic fentanyl after that, even though she knew the drugs she was selling were linked to a fatal overdose. On April 4, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on of Winslow’s vehicle. During the traffic stop, law enforcement determined that Winslow possessed 60 pills pressed to appear as oxycodone hydrochloride, later determined to contain fentanyl.

On February 13, 2025, Winslow pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl. She is serving her sentence at Federal Correctional Institution in Estill, South Carolina. In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked HSI, the Maiden Police Department, and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY