An Augusta drug dealer, who promoted his product of marijuana and pills online under the name “Pill Cosby,” was murdered in his car early Saturday.
Deonte Sledge, 28, was shot while in a vehicle at his residence on Blackstone Street West, Coroner Mark Bowen said in a press release. He was found when officers responded to gunfire about 4:21 a.m. Saturday and pronounced dead about 45 minutes later by the coroner’s office. No arrest or motive has been announced.
Sledge marks the 35th homicide of the year, a sad list that includes four 15-year-old victims as well as a 13-year-old boy. There were 39 people killed by homicide last year, according to the official list by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
This reporter was contacted by a local resident a week ago about Sledge posting and bragging about his money and drugs under a Facebook page named “Pill Cosby.” His page included a photo of him with large bags of marijuana and a video showing off large amount of pills. (See video at bottom) The tip was forwarded to the sheriff’s office.
On Saturday, friends were posting memories on the same page, with one friend leaving this comment under a photo of Sledge with another man: “I remember the day I took these pictures y’all was high ASF. … I loved y’all bond it reminded me of me and fufu. I’m hurting for your family and kids man.”
Another friend remembered Sledge as a family man. “All he did was get money, take care of his family… . SMH,” the woman said. “He most definitely was having it, his way! All the time.”
Some of his nicknames were “Young King” and “Chop.” A third person commented on a possible motive: “When you getting money & living yo life, folks envy you .. so the smartest & best thing to do is stay out the way. Bro was having & being a good daddy to his kids & somebody strip that away.”
Sledge was sentenced to five years of probation in 2019 after pleading guilty to dealing drugs, possessing marijuana and having a vehicle with a secret compartment. He also had several convictions over the years for DUI and marijuana possession.
VIDEO FROM SLEDGE’S FACEBOOK PAGE:
