For the first time in Clay County history, a drug dealer is facing a murder charge after an 18-year-old overdosed on fentanyl he sold her, deputies said.
Deputies announced Tuesday that three men were arrested in 18-year-old Ariell Brundige's death.
Photos: 3 arrested after 18-year-old overdosed on fentanyl
Clay County Sheriff's Office began investigating after Brundige overdosed in November 2016.
Ariell Brundige was 18 years old when she overdosed on fentanyl, which can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin https://t.co/xLs53Un2me pic.twitter.com/DRICVjyloD
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) May 23, 2017
An autopsy revealed Brundige had well over the lethal dose of fentanyl in her system. Fentanyl can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin.
Investigation led deputies to 32-year-old Trumaine "Lucky" Muller. They searched his home on Feb. 8 and arrested him for multiple drug offenses and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Trumaine Muller charged with murder after allegedly selling narcotics that killed an 18 year old @ActionNewsJax
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) May 23, 2017
In May, a grand jury indicted Muller for first degree murder in Brundige's death.
Deputies said Muller's arrest in the teen's fatal overdose is the first time distributing narcotics led to a state homicide charge in Clay County.
He's charged with murder resulting from distribution of a controlled substance.
"I'm changing his street name from Lucky to Unlucky," Sheriff Daryl Daniels said at a Tuesday press conference. "For a person who would sell heroin, or bring fentanyl, or think that is OK to bring these products into Clay County. I have more disdain for you than I do a regular criminal."
Deputies also arrested Tyler Hamilton, 26, and Christopher Williams, 32, for manslaughter. They were with Brundige when she bought the fentanyl, deputies said.
3 men are facing charges in 18-year-old's fatal overdose. @ccsofl announced the murder, manslaughter charges Tuesday https://t.co/xLs53Un2me pic.twitter.com/qN1bkTQAw5
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) May 23, 2017
Hamilton was dating Brundige. He called 911 when she stopped breathing after taking the drug, according to CCSO.
Daniels said he has a message for anyone who brings fentanyl or other dangerous drugs to Clay County: "Get the hell out of Clay County."
CCSO said 49 people died of drug overdose in Clay County in 2016. Fentanyl was to blame in 28 cases.
There have been 16 drug overdose deaths so far in 2017 and fentanyl was found in eight of the cases.
Sheriff Tells drug dealers to "get the hell out of Clay County." @ActionNewsJax
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) May 23, 2017
News Conference on Major Arrest
Posted by Clay County Sheriff's Office, Florida on Tuesday, May 23, 2017
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