Wilson County Family Seeks Justice After Son’s Fentanyl Overdose, Man Pleads Guilty to Charges

Nashville, TN – A Wilson County family found some measure of justice this week after a lengthy legal battle following the death of their son, Evan Leonard, from a fentanyl overdose in West Nashville in 2022.

Evan, a 21-year-old young man, was discovered dead by his roommate at their apartment on July 15, 2022. According to Metro Nashville Police, Evan had reportedly taken an ecstasy pill the night before that made him feel “weird.” However, Evan’s parents, Nikki and Mike Leonard, have maintained that their son believed he was taking cocaine. The drug, however, was laced with fentanyl — a powerful synthetic opioid that has contributed to the rise of fatal overdoses across the country.

Evan’s death was part of the disturbing trend of fentanyl-related fatalities. The tragic loss prompted his parents to begin a determined quest for justice, hoping to hold accountable the person responsible for selling their son the lethal drug. For nearly two years, the family waited for developments in the case, fearing that their son’s death might not lead to legal consequences.

That wait ended on December 17, 2024, when 34-year-old Adrian Raybon, the man accused of selling the fentanyl-laced drug to Evan, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to two charges: reckless homicide and delivery of a controlled substance. Raybon was sentenced to 10 years of probation. If he violates the terms of his probation, he faces the possibility of serving 10 years in prison, with no chance of early release.

While Nikki Leonard had hoped for a harsher penalty, she found some sense of closure in the court proceedings. “When the judge asked Adrian, ‘Is this correct?’ and Adrian said, ‘Yes,’ my heart sank,” she recalled. “But at the same time, we all just held hands and it was like, ‘He admitted it. He admitted it!’ Like, everything that we knew, he literally just said yes.”

For the Leonard family, the legal resolution was not about seeking revenge but rather ensuring accountability and shining a light on the dangers of street drugs laced with fentanyl. In a statement following the plea, Nikki expressed a message of hope for others who may be going through similar tragedies. “All I can tell any family that’s going through what I’m going through is don’t give up. Don’t give up. You keep fighting, you call the detectives, you keep your child’s case on top of that file, and you don’t give up,” she urged.

Though the family will never fully heal from the loss of their son, Nikki made sure to honor Evan’s memory, describing him as “amazing and wonderful and warm and cuddly and loving.” She recalled him as a son, a brother, an uncle, and “the love of somebody’s life,” emphasizing that his life and legacy would not be forgotten.

Evan Leonard’s death serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of illicit drugs and the fentanyl crisis that continues to claim lives across the United States. Despite the justice brought in this case, many families are still fighting for accountability and awareness as fentanyl continues to infiltrate the street drug market, claiming more young lives each year.

As the Leonards move forward, they remain committed to keeping Evan’s memory alive while advocating for justice and greater public awareness about the risks associated with drug use.

Teenagers Arrested in Connection with South Nashville Armed Robbery

Nashville, TN – Two teenagers, both with extensive criminal backgrounds, were arrested this week after being implicated in a violent armed robbery in South Nashville on Tuesday. The pair, Hser Thaw, 17, and Nathan Naw, 18, now face multiple charges related to the robbery, which occurred on Gillespie Drive, as well as new charges linked to their previous criminal activities.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the robbery occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday when the two suspects, along with a third individual, allegedly held up a 17-year-old victim at gunpoint. The getaway vehicle, a silver Toyota Rav4, was quickly spotted by Detective Cole Ranseen, who was in the area at the time. After attempting to stop the vehicle, Ranseen pursued the suspects when the driver, later identified as Thaw, sped away and crashed into a concrete wall on Chambers Drive. The suspects fled on foot.

Thaw, who was seen running from the scene, was quickly apprehended after a brief chase. Police found a semi-automatic pistol on the ground near where Thaw had been apprehended. The robbery victim later confirmed Thaw’s involvement during a show-up identification. Thaw is now facing a series of charges, including aggravated robbery, evading arrest, and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. His bond has been set at $285,000. In addition, Thaw is expected to face a probation violation for breaking the terms of his supervised release.

Thaw, who had been previously convicted on charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and auto theft, had been transferred to adult court last year. On October 24, 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and was sentenced to three years of supervised probation. This latest incident marks a significant violation of his probation, prompting further legal consequences.

Meanwhile, Naw, the second suspect, was spotted by a helicopter crew running toward a residence in the 3800 block of Faulkner Drive. There, he reportedly told the homeowner that “people were after him” before forcing his way inside. The resident confirmed that Naw was a stranger to them. Officers arrived shortly after and found Naw sitting on the couch in the home.

Naw had been out on bond for pending aggravated robbery and gun charges from 2023 at the time of the robbery. He is now facing additional charges of aggravated criminal trespassing for unlawfully entering the Faulkner Drive home. Naw’s bond for this new charge is set at $4,000, and detectives are reviewing data from his ankle monitor as part of their ongoing investigation into his involvement in Tuesday’s robbery.

Both Thaw and Naw have histories of violent crime, and their latest arrests highlight concerns about repeat offenders in the area. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine whether the third suspect involved in the robbery has been identified or apprehended.

The arrests come as part of continued efforts by MNPD to combat armed robberies and violent crime in Nashville. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the suspects or the robbery to come forward.