Three Arrested in Hancock County Fentanyl Overdose Death Investigation
Three people were arrested after a Hancock County investigation into a December 2024 overdose death. Authorities said the death was caused by fentanyl toxicity and led to indictments returned on February 9.
A joint investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Drug Investigation Division, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and the 3rd Judicial District Drug Task Force into an overdose death has resulted in the arrest of three people. In December 2024, investigators began examining the overdose death of Sloane Holt after he was found deceased in the front yard of his residence along Cantwell Valley Road in Sneedville, and his cause of death was determined to be an overdose caused by fentanyl toxicity.
During the course of the investigation, agents determined that Kwade Alder was involved in distributing the drugs that caused Holt’s death. Further investigation revealed that Halyn Alder and Toby Alder were also involved in the distribution of fentanyl in the Hancock County area.
On February 9, the Hancock County Grand Jury returned indictments charging all three individuals in connection with the investigation. Last week, they were arrested and booked into the Hancock County Jail.
Kwade Seldon Alder, of Sneedville, was charged with one count of Second Degree Murder, one count of Delivery of Schedule II – Fentanyl, one count of Tampering with Evidence, and one count of Conspiracy to Sell or Deliver 150 grams or more of Schedule II – Fentanyl. His bond was set at $200,000.
Toby Scott Alder, of Sneedville, was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Sell or Deliver 150 grams or more of Schedule II – Fentanyl, one count of Sale/Delivery of Schedule II – Morphine, and two counts of Sale/Delivery of Schedule II – Fentanyl. His bond was set at $130,000.
Halyn Savannah Alder, of Sneedville, was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Sell or Deliver 150 grams or more of Schedule II – Fentanyl. Her bond was set at $70,000.
The charges and allegations are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.