Chatham County man indicted in fentanyl overdose death

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Chatham County grand jury has indicted a man in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of Joey Dee Elrod, according to court records.

Steven Chisholm, 54, is accused of causing Elrod’s death on Jan. 3, 2026, by selling fentanyl to a woman, court records show.

Chisholm was indicted on aggravated involuntary manslaughter, according to court records.

Court records state Chisholm unlawfully caused Elrod’s fentanyl overdose death without any intention to do so, by selling a substance containing fentanyl to a woman and representing that the substance was a controlled substance.

An obituary photo was not immediately available for Elrod. We are awaiting a mugshot for Chisholm from the jail.

Additional charges

Chisholm was also indicted on charges of sale of fentanyl for an alleged transaction on Jan. 2, 2025, according to court records.

Court records show Chisholm was indicted on conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act for allegedly selling drugs to the same woman on Dec. 28, 2025. Court records state Chisholm texted about having the substance and arranged to meet the woman at a specified location.

Chisholm was indicted on illegal use of a communication facility for coordinating the sale of fentanyl by phone and text, according to court records.

Recidivist status sought

Prosecutors are seeking to charge Chisholm as a recidivist, according to court records. Court records cite a 1992 burglary conviction, a 1995 conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a 1997 conviction for sale of a controlled substance, and a 2011 conviction for possession of a controlled substance.

Chisholm remains in custody in Chatham County, according to court records. His next court date is set for Oct. 13, 2026.