UPDATE: Austin woman receives new murder, manslaughter drug sale charges

(ABC 6 News) – An Austin woman faced new charges of 3rd-degree murder, 2nd-degree manslaughter, and 2nd-degree drug sale in Mower County Court Friday, Jan. 6.

Yashica Shenay Thomas, 43, was previously arraigned on an identical set of charges in September of 2022. She also faces four additional drug sale charges dating back to August of 2022.

According to the latest criminal complaint, Thomas allegedly sold fentanyl to a 22-year-old woman who died of an overdose May 22, 2022.

Thomas was arrested on suspicion of the same activities Aug. 30, after an adult male died from a fentanyl overdose in March of 2022, which law enforcement allegedly linked to Thomas.

Thomas’ pretrial for the Austin man’s death in March and the four additional drug sale charges is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2023.

She is scheduled to appear again in court on the murder, manslaughter and drug sale charges related to the 22-year-old woman’s death Jan. 19.

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(ABC 6 News) – An Austin woman was charged with 3rd-degree murder, 2nd-degree manslaughter, and 2nd-degree drug sale in Mower County Court Thursday, Sept. 15 related to a March 8 overdose death.

Yashica Shenay Thomas, 43, was arrested Aug. 30 after Austin law enforcement executed a search warrant at her apartment in Western Manor on 3rd Avenue SW.

Thomas faces two charges each of 2nd-degree drug sale and 3rd-degree drug possession from the Aug. 30 warrant arrest.

According to court documents, law enforcement personnel found evidence of suspected heroin and fentanyl, 17.1 grams of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, pills, cash and tin foil, and other drug paraphernalia in the residence.

According to documents, Thomas also admitted to law enforcement that she had fentanyl, meth, and cocaine in her room at the time of her arrest, and that she sold some drugs to feed her own habit.

Law enforcement also showed Thomas photos of an adult male who died from fentanyl overdose in March of this year.

According to court documents, law enforcement searched the victim’s phone and found messages between him and Thomas where the two negotiated a $70 drug sale.

Law enforcement reported that Thomas admitted to selling about 0.24 grams of fentanyl to the male who overdosed in March of 2022.

She allegedly told detectives the victim planned to come back and buy more from her, but he overdosed.

Thomas’ pretrial is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2023, with a jury trial scheduled for Feb. 6, 2023.

In the interim, she is being held in Mower County Jail.