Thursday's Internet Edition, 04:40 PM, September 02, 2010.

Eric Dickerson, 29, of 181 Nancy’s Run pled guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the delivery of a controlled substance and possession of fentanyl.

Assistant prosecutor Drew Patton agreed to dismiss a charge of involuntary manslaughter against Dickerson and not pursue any additional charges relating to the death of Brandon Burgess in April 2009.

Dickerson was represented by Putnam County attorney David Moye at the hearing last week before Roane Magistrate Jason Bennett.

The charges filed last year allege Dickerson possessed fentanyl without a prescription at 372 Pike St. That was the location of an apartment building where police said Burgess died after smoking fentanyl. Dickerson left the apartment for a while and returned to find Burgess on the floor, according to the charges filed by State Police.

Burgess summoned some friends but delayed calling for an ambulance while he was cleaning up the scene, the charges claim.

Dickerson allegedly disposed of evidence before he dialed 911.

Local authorities dealing with the problem said at least five or six people in the area have died from smoking or eating fentanyl pain patches, which are meant to be worn on the skin for a time-release effect.

Last month, Tammy L. Anderson, 39, of Spring Creek Road was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the November 2009 death of Heather Dawn Marks, 34. An autopsy said Marks died as the result of a combination of fentanyl and other drugs. She was found dead at Anderson’s home.

Bennett ordered Anderson to serve six months in jail and pay a $1,000 fine, but she is free on bond while appealing the conviction to circuit court.

Dickerson will be sentenced Oct. 5, when he is facing a maximum of up to a year in jail on the accessory charge and six months on the possession charge, plus fines totaling $1,500.