Former MTV reality star Whitney Purvis has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other crimes, stemming from the death of her friend who died after taking the fentanyl drug Tranq, which Whitney sold to him.
Monday was supposed to be the start of the criminal trial for Whitney— who appeared on the first season of “16 and Pregnant”— but court records pulled by The Ashley indicate that she entered an Alford plea on Friday. (An Alford plea allows the defendant to plead guilty but does not force them to admit they committed the crime. They acknowledge that there is strong evidence against them that would likely lead to a conviction.)
In addition to the involuntary manslaughter charge, Whitney entered a guilty plea for a charge of “Sale of Fentanyl” and “Illegal Use of a Communication Facility.”
(She had also been charged with three additional charges of “Illegal Use of a Communication Facility” and “Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute.” It is unknown if those charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement.)
In her guilty plea filing, Whitney acknowledges that she is aware that she faces up to 44 years in prison for the crimes.
As The Ashley previously told you, the charges against Whitney stem from the 2025 death of her friend, John Mark Harris, whom Whitney sold Tranq, (a street drug containing xylazine and fentanyl) on February 16, 2025. Use of that drug resulted in John’s death the next day.
In February of this year, Whitney pleaded not guilty to all the charges against her. However, she changed her plea last week, after the prosecution informed the court of the evidence it planned to present at trial, including testimony of several forensic expert witnesses, as well as evidence of communication between Whitney and the victim.
Prosecutors planned to present text messages sent between Whitney and John Mark Harris in which Whitney told John about Tranq and its effects. She also provided instructions on how to use the drug. Whitney’s texts with John also included talk of pricing, as well as a photo that Whitney sent to John showing that she had delivered the drugs to his home.
Court records also indicate that the prosecutors had records from Whitney’s CashApp showing details of John’s payment.
In addition to her guilty plea, Whitney also signed a waiver of right to withdraw guilty plea. This means that she has legally and permanently given up her right to take back her plea of guilty.
A date for Whitney’s sentencing has not been released yet. In her waiver of right to withdraw guilty plea, Whitney acknowledged that a warrant will be issued for her arrest (for the offense of escape) if she does not show up for her sentencing hearing.
Until then, Whitney must abide by a long list of conditions. These conditions include abstaining from consuming or purchasing any alcohol; avoiding “persons or places of irreputable or harmful character”; submitting to breath/urine/specimen tests upon request; submitting to searches of her person, home, car, etc.; abiding by a curfew set by her probation officer and paying a monthly probation fee of $32 a month.
The state of Georgia has been cracking down on fentanyl-related crimes since the passing of Senate Bill 465, aka “Austin’s Law,” in 2024. The bill created a new offense category —felony aggravated involuntary manslaughter— under which drug dealers and distributors can be prosecuted for their role in a person’s death if they are determined to have helped manufacture or sell the deadly fentanyl drug.
In July 2025, John Mark’s mother Lisa Harris gave an interview to TMZ about Whitney’s arrest.
“She did this, and as a result, my son is dead,” Lisa stated, adding that she had never met Whitney. “[I’m] glad nobody else must go through this because of her actions. The whole thing is so heartbreaking. I feel sorry for her — not because she got arrested, but because her life got to a point of dealing drugs.”
Whitney has not released any public statement regarding her plea.
Fans will best remember Whitney for being one of only two girls from the original season of “16 and Pregnant” who did not go on to star on ‘Teen Mom.’ (The girls chosen from Season 1 to move on were Amber Portwood, Maci Bookout, Farrah Abraham and Catelynn Lowell.) Whitney has not appeared on any other reality TV show since then.
The Ashley will update this story when more info is available.
(Photos: MTV; Floyd County Sheriff’s Office)
