Third Suspect Now Charged With Murder In Connection With Fentanyl Death

The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office arrested three suspects;

Marques Hood, 23, of Commerce, TX

Bryson Lacy, 21, of Sulphur Springs, TX

Xavier Hill, 23, of Sulphur Springs, TX

in connection with the death of 21 year old Brayden Wooten of Sulphur Springs, TX.

This case is the cornerstone to spreading awareness of the dangers of Fentanyl and what can happen when you give narcotics to someone and it is attributed to their death, you will be arrested and prosecuted. The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to keeping the citizens of Hopkins County and surrounding areas safe. Although the family of Brayden Wooten is still mourning the loss of their son, we can rest easy knowing that the people responsible for his death are now in custody.

On December 23, 2023 the victim, Brayden Wooten, 21 YOA, was found deceased at his residence. The cause of death was ruled a Fentanyl overdose by the American Forensics Medical Examiner located in Mesquite, TX. During the course of the investigation, the pills taken by Mr. Wooten were delivered by two suspects.

The two suspects who were arrested on December 28, 2023 in connection to Mr. Wooten’s death were Bryson Lacy, 21 YOA, and Xavier Hill, 23 YOA. Lacy was charged with Tampering with evidence due to him admitting to deleting text messages in connection to Wooten’s death. Hill and Lacy were both charged with the Murder of Mr. Wooten due to their involvement with the death of Mr. Wooten as a result of the fentanyl pills.

Sheriff Lewis Tatum’s message to potential criminals is that if you deliver narcotics to someone and it is proven to cause that person’s death, Texas law states you will be charged with murder.

In a joint effort to arrest the supplier of the deadly laced Fentanyl pills into custody, the Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs PD Swat Team executed a search warrant in the home of Marques Hood, of Commerce. Commerce Police Department, Texas DPS Troopers, and Texas DPS Criminal Investigation Division agents assisted in the execution of the search warrant.

During the search of Mr. Hood’s residence, approximately 1200 fentanyl laced pills were discovered, which has a street value of $12,000. In addition to the deadly pills, two guns were found in the home, namely, an AK-47 style rifle, and a Glock pistol.

He was transported to the Hunt County jail and booked in on the charges of  manufacture and delivery of narcotics, and the murder of Mr. Wooten out of Hopkins County.

Sheriff Tatum wants to ensure the public’s safety by continuing to proactively enforce drug laws in his community and arrest individuals who violate them.