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Collin County D.A. scores first conviction for fentanyl murder

Fentanyl www.dea.gov

Collin County's District Attorney scored its first murder prosecution under a new fentanyl law in the state of Texas. According to a relase from Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis, a jury sentenced Gregory Noah Honesty, 27, of Dallas, to 38 years in prison for murder following the fentanyl death of a young woman in Blue Ridge.

On November 19, 2023, Collin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an overdose call in Blue Ridge where they found a young woman who was unresponsive. Despite multiple doses of Narcan, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Narcotics investigators responded to the scene due to drug paraphernalia and fentanyl pills found by responding emergency personnel.

Digital trail
Honesty was tracked down using phone records, Instagram messages, CashApp transactions, and cell phone location data. Investigator Joshua Duncan located messages setting up the transaction, followed by a payment from the deceased to Honesty. Location data showed the deceased traveling from Collin County to a Dallas location that was sent to her by Honesty on Instagram Messenger. Following the sale of the fentanyl, the cell phone data showed the victim drove back to her home in Blue Ridge, where she was found deceased less than 24 hours later.

New fentanyl law
This case marked Collin County’s first-ever murder conviction under Texas' new law allowing fentanyl delivery resulting in death to be prosecuted as murder. The jury heard evidence that Honesty had been dealing drugs since 2017, and that he continued selling fentanyl after he posted his bond in May 2024.

Honesty’s bond was revoked in September of 2024 after Grayson County arrested him on five new charges of drug dealing, and Honesty remained in custody leading up to trial this month.

After convicting Honesty of first-degree murder, the jury assessed punishment at 38 years in prison (range: 5–99 years or life).

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alex Oestreich and Ashlyn Scott prosecuted the case, assisted by DA Investigator Sarah Putman and Victim Assistance Coordinator Jill Moore. Judge Andrea Thompson presided over the case.

“While no sentence can bring this promising young woman back, this conviction sends a clear message: If you deal fentanyl and someone dies, you will be prosecuted for murder," said DA Greg Willis in a statement.

politics

gotta do better than that

Texas is not a great state to live in for 2025, study finds

Texas' livability has taken a nosedive in 2025. Photo by Trac Vu on Unsplash

Texas' livability has taken a nosedive: After plummeting toward the bottom in WalletHub's 2024 ranking of the best and worst states to live in for 2024, Texas has continued its downfall and now ranks as the 38th "best" state to live in for 2025.

To put it another way, Texas is now considered the 13th worst place to live in the U.S.

WalletHub ranked all 50 states using 51 metrics to measure their affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. Factors that were considered include housing affordability, the median debt per median earnings, income growth from 2019 to 2023, high school graduation rates, access to public transportation, and more.

Massachusetts once again claimed the No. 1 spot as the best place to live nationwide, followed by Idaho (No. 2), New Jersey (No. 3), Wisconsin (No. 4), and Minnesota (No. 5).

The Lone Star State fumbled in four out of the five categories, but at least its quality of life ranking (No. 9) still managed to nab a top-10 spot.

According to WalletHub, Texas has the 10th worst economy and the 10th worst education and health, ranking No. 40 in both categories. Confusingly, a separate WalletHub study claimed Texas had the 8th best economy in the nation.

Texas' affordability is only the 34th best in the U.S., and it ranked 38th for safety.

Here's how Texas fared in other rankings in the study out of all 50 states:

No. 30 – Income growth
No. 31 – Housing costs
No. 40 – Percentage of population in poverty
No. 50 – Percentage of insured population
No. 43 – Percentage of adults in fair or poor health
No. 46 – Homeownership rate
No. 49 – Average weekly work hours

Local foodies can at least be satisfied that Texas ranked No. 1 in the category of states with the most restaurants per capita. Texas entered a four-way tie for the top spot with Florida, New York, and California. But having numerous restaurants doesn't make up for the failures in other living standards.

Meanwhile, New Mexico landed as the worst state to live in 2025. Joining the so-called "Land of Enchantment" at the bottom of the list are Louisiana (No. 49), Arkansas (No. 48), Mississippi (No. 47), and Alaska (No. 46).

Before one makes any final decisions on where to live, WalletHub suggests considering other factors than how a state ranked based on a single study.

"You’ll need to balance things like the cost of living with job opportunities, quality of education and safety," the report's author wrote. "Personal preference also comes into the equation, as you’ll want to live somewhere with the types of attractions, recreational opportunities and weather that suit you."

wallethub rankings best states texas