Originally appeared on E! Online
Whitney Purvis is facing legal trouble at both the federal and local levels.
Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta Field Division Jae W. Chung confirmed to People and TMZ that the agency is investigating the case, and that it coordinated with local police for the arrest.
“Today, DEA Atlanta and local law enforcement arrested Whitney Purvis in Floyd County, GA on charges of involuntary manslaughter due to fentanyl poisoning,” the statement read. “This investigation is ongoing.”
The agent also included a reminder that “nearly 70% of all drug-related deaths involve synthetic opioids, like fentanyl,” and that just two milligrams of the drug “is a potentially deadly dose.”
Chung added that “the DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs” by visiting online resources.
READ 16 and Pregnant’s Whitney Purvis Arrested for Involuntary Manslaughter
E! News has attempted to locate legal representation for Purvis for comment and has also reached out to the DEA for comment but has not yet heard back.
Purvis’ arrest is related to the death of a man from February, with an affidavit for her arrest obtained by E! News alleging she distributed a drug known as “Tranq,” which is a combination of Xylazine and Fentanyl, to the victim.
Police say the drug “directly contributed in the victim’s death due to a toxic overdose” and charged her with aggravated involuntary manslaughter.
Additionally, according to a statement of criminal charges shared by police with E! News, Purvis also faces two charges relating to controlled substances. The first is a felony charge for the possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and the second is a misdemeanor charge for the “use of communication facility in commission of a felony involving controlled substances.”
No bond had been set for the former MTV star at the time of her arrest. E! News has reached out to Rome Police but did not receive additional comment.
The affidavit for Purvis’ arrest names the victim as John Mark Harris, noting the incident occurred on February 16. An online obituary for Harris says he “never met a stranger and had a way of caring for those who crossed his path.”
“Whether it was bandaging a wound, trips to the airport, or a place to lay their heads for a time, he was willing to lend a hand,” the obituary continues. “He loved fiercely and would do anything he could for one of his friends.”
