Case against Dexter man charged in drug death on hold

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — The case against a man facing drug charges following an overdose-related death in November is currently on hold.

Tyler R. Hardin, 19, of Dexter, will have to wait a little longer before returning to the courtroom as the state awaits the results of toxicology tests taking place at the crime lab in St. Louis.

The charges stem from an investigation that began when the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department received a call from Missouri Southern Healthcare on the morning of Nov. 7 in reference to a patient, later identified as 20-year-old Bryan Maslinski, being treated for what appeared to be an accidental drug overdose.

Maslinski was later transported to Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau where he died on the following Sunday.

According to a complaint filed by Keith Haynes of the SEMO Drug Task Force, it was discovered that Hardin had sold a 100 mg fentanyl patch to Maslinski the previous night. Haynes and Deputy Hank Trout later interviewed Hardin at his home where he reportedly admitted to having sold the patch to Maslinski for $30.

Hardin is currently being housed in the Stoddard County Jail and faces charges of the Class B felony distribution of a controlled substance (Fentanyl), Class B felony of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, Class B felony possession of a controlled substance and the Class A misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

If the crime lab report shows Fentanyl in Maslinski's blood at the time of his death, Hardin could face additional charges. He is currently facing a $150,000 cash-only bond.

The Maslinski family has spoken out publicly since the death in an effort to prevent others from suffering the same fate as their son and brother.