Arrests Made In Drug Related Death Case

Boone County Sheriff's deputies arrested two individuals from Cincinnati on Friday.

Dominic Jackson and Shalinda Thomas. Photos provided.

(Boone County, Ky.) – Two are facing drug charges as result of a death investigation.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation on November 3 regarding the death of Robert Dedden, 30, of Hebron.

The initial investigation showed Dedden’s death to be drug related.

Through the investigation, deputies found Dedden had been in recent contact with Dominic Jackson, 29, of Cincinnati, about purchasing fentanyl.

Investigators say a vehicle believed to be Jackson’s delivered fentanyl to Dedden prior to his death.

On Friday, deputies posed as Dedden on social media to reach out to Jackso to purchase additional fentanyl. Jackson was allegedly seen in the area of Dedden’s home, leaving the agreed upon fentanyl in Dedden’s vehicle in exchange for cash.

A traffic stop was initiated shortly after, where Jackson was taken into custody. Shalinda Thomas, 29, was also taken into custody.

Deputies say three children under the age of 10 were in the vehicle at the time of the arrests.

Jackson is charged with Operating a Vehicle with an Illegible Tags, Operating on a Suspended or Revoked License, No Child Seat, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor – Class A Misdemeanor (3 counts), Unlawful Transaction with a Minor Under 16 – Class B Felony (3 counts), Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree – Class C Felony (2 counts), and Manslaughter 2nd Degree – Class C Felony.

Thomas faces charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor – Class A Misdemeanor (3 counts), Unlawful Transaction with a Minor Under 16 – Class B Felony (3 counts), and Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree – Class C Felony.

Both are held in Boone County Jail without bond.