An Olathe man faces nine felony charges for allegedly selling drugs that resulted in the death of a 32-year-old man in March 2025.
On Tuesday in Johnson County District, Steven Cutler, 36, made his first appearance for one charge of distributing drugs resulting in death and eight counts of using communication in the commission of a drug felony.
Cutler was arrested on Monday night by Johnson County Sheriff deputies after a warrant was issued for him on Jan. 14.
Court documents say Cutler allegedly distributed drugs that led to the death of Carl “Hunter” Wheeler, 32, of Olathe.
Cutler allegedly sold drugs to Wheeler
Cutler is alleged to have sold drugs to Wheeler on March 4, 2025, that caused his death.
Wheeler spent an extended stay rehab and was allegedly contacted by Cutler when he got out, Storm Dillenschneider, Wheeler’s mother, said in a post on social media.
An attempt for comment by the Johnson County Post from Michael Duma, Cutler’s attorney, was not returned.
Wheeler was known as a “Great leader”
A Gardner native, Wheeler graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 2011, according to his obituary.
Wheeler had a love of sports and the outdoors, as well as helping others through his job at Titan Protection and Consulting in Kansas City, Missouri. In February 2024, he was awarded the “Titan of the Month & Life Saver” by the company for helping save someone’s life.
“When Hunter encountered a man who was unresponsive with no pulse following an overdose, he put his life-saving CPR skills into action and revived the patient. He heroically stabilized the patient until EMS arrived,” a social media post by Titan Protection stated.
In the tribute section of his obituary, people referred to Wheeler as a “gentle soul” and someone people could depend on.
“I remember him being brave, great leader, goofy and all around a good person. He always went out of his way to help others and I respected that a lot. He was good at cheering others up and would inspire officers to be their very best,” one person wrote on his obituary page.
Wheeler’s death spawned activism for fentanyl deaths
Dillenschneider is the administrator for the Facebook group “MO – Moms Against Fentanyl,” which promotes activism and support for parents of victims of fentanyl. It has more than 1,000 members.
“We need to force legislators to enact mandatory, harsher laws on drug dealers killing our children and young people,” the group’s bio states.Â
As part of the group, Dillenschneider posts stories about the latest fentanyl news and pushes for stricter legislation when it comes to drugs.
“Unless we collectively awaken to the reality that this crisis can touch any of us, we will continue to lose precious lives and compromise the future of our great nation. The ripple effects of shattered families and mental health struggles will persist,” she said in a post on social media.Â
The group is another recent example of parents of victims of fentanyl and advocates in Johnson County taking a stand against the highly potent drug, including the “You Never Know” campaign and activism done by the parents of Cooper Davis and Olivia Piotrowski.
What’s next
A preliminary hearing for Cutler is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Jan. 29.
He is currently being held in the Johnson County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.
