Teen faces drug charges in fatal Beaufort house party

A Port Royal teen is the second person to be charged in connection with an April 9 house party in Beaufort that lead to the death of 18-year-old William Thompson.

Michael Chapman, 18, was charged Tuesday with distributing drugs at the Parris Island Gateway party after deputies obtained a warrant for his arrest, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Chapman is alleged to have provided party-goers with Xanax, though no trace of the drug was found in Thompson’s system, according to the toxicology report from an autopsy performed after his death, the release said.

Thompson, a student at Whale Branch Early College High School, was found unresponsive at his Mint Farm Drive home in Beaufort around 1:50 a.m. after he came home from the party. He was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead of apparent alcohol poisoning.

Two other teenagers found passed out on couches at the party were taken to the hospital following the party and later released after deputies learned where Thompson had become intoxicated.

Chapman is the second person to be charged in connection with the party.

Trong Duc Le, 25, of Burton was charged with involuntary manslaughter May 6. He allegedly purchased liquor and beer for Williams and other minors at the party, the release said.

Le was released from the Beaufort County Detention Center on May 9 after posting bail on his $150,000 bond, according to Beaufort County Court records.

Chapman was taken to the detention center and assigned a $10,000 bond.

No other charges are expected in the investigation, the release said.

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Teen faces drug charges in fatal Beaufort house party."