Snellville Man Arrested for Manslaughter in Fentanyl Overdose Death

Gwinnett County Police detectives have arrested Emory Clark, 39, of Snellville, charging him with manslaughter under Austin’s Law for selling illegal drugs laced with fentanyl. The investigation began on July 31, after officers responded to a residence on Mill Glenn Court in Lawrenceville, where they found 23-year-old Christian Howell deceased in a bedroom.

Upon discovering illegal drugs in Howell’s room, officers contacted detectives, who initiated an investigation. They collected phone data, conducted surveillance, and utilized other investigative methods to identify Clark as the distributor of the narcotics that led to Howell’s death.

Clark was arrested on August 13. During a subsequent search of his residence, investigators found narcotic packaging similar to that found at Howell’s location, as well as a stolen handgun. Clark faces charges of aggravated involuntary manslaughter for the fentanyl overdose death, sale of a Schedule II-controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and theft by receiving stolen property.

The manslaughter charge is a result of Austin’s Law, signed earlier this year by Governor Brian Kemp, which criminalizes drug dealers and distributors for fentanyl-related fatalities.