Dexter man arrested in connection with drug related death

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A 19-year-old Dexter man is facing charges this week in connection to a drug-related death over the weekend.

Tyler R. 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.

The charges stem from an investigation that began when the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department received a call from Missouri Southern Healthcare Friday morning 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 Sunday.

An autopsy was scheduled to be performed Monday at Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington.

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 facing a $150,000 cash-only bond. He will face Judge Joe Satterfield Thursday morning at 9 a.m. for arraignment.

According to members of Maslinski's family who spoke with The Daily Statesman on Monday, the victim had been at Scooter's II, a night club near Poplar Bluff, Thursday night. He returned home in the early hours of Friday in obvious need of medical attention.

He was then taken by ambulance to Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter and later transferred to the Cape facility.

Maslinski's death marks the third such drug-related death in the county in recent history.

The Maslinski family has been in touch with The Daily Statesman and their story regarding the loss of their son and brother will appear in Wednesday's paper.