Editor’s Note: This story originally included additional details made public in federal court documents surrounding the investigation into Elder’s death. Out of respect for the family – WHAS11 has removed those specifics.
Charges have been made in connection with the death of Derrick James Elder, a Louisville man who medical examiners said overdosed on fentanyl in October 2018.
Amir Karat was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance after a federal investigation on Elder's death found that Elder was getting percocet believed to have been manufactured with fentanyl or a fentanyl analog from Karat on the day he died.
During their investigation, police found text messages between Karat and Elder referring to Elder's illegal purchase of percocet from Karat, believed to be a bartender at the popular Louisville restaurant Le Moo.
Karat was named as one of Elder's closest friends and witnesses found it suspicious that he was not at his funeral or visitation. At a Le Moo fundraiser in honor of Elder, one witness said Karat acted suspiciously, saying he knew Elder had a problem with pills but had nothing to do with Elder's death.
When investigators interviewed Karat, he said he and Elder were close while working together at Le Moo, and he knew Elder had an issue with substance abuse.
"Derrick has asked me for some pills, sometimes," Karat told investigators, but he said he "never tried to help him with it because...I tried one time, because he kept nagging me about it, but it never happened."
When asked about his possible supplier, Karat said he no longer had anything to do with the man and was completely unaware of any criminal involvement.
A preliminary hearing in federal court is scheduled for Wednesday, January 2 at 2:30 p.m.
