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Drug overdose ends in murder charge

Clay Today
Posted 5/23/17

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – For the first time in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, distributing narcotics led to a state homicide charge. Detectives arrested Trumaine “Lucky” Muller, 32, for selling a …

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Drug overdose ends in murder charge


Posted

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – For the first time in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, distributing narcotics led to a state homicide charge. Detectives arrested Trumaine “Lucky” Muller, 32, for selling a lethal dose of fentanyl to Ariell Jade Brundige, 18. A grand jury recently indicted Muller for first-degree murder. Details of the case were released today in a press conference at the sheriff’s office.

Clay County Sheriff’s Office detectives also arrested Tyler Hamilton, 26, and Christopher Williams, 32, for manslaughter. They were both with the victim when she bought the narcotics. Hamilton, who was Brundige’s boyfriend, was with her when she died.

Sheriff Darryl Daniels said he wants to send a strong message to those who sell, buy and participate in drug activity in Clay County.

“If you commit a crime in Clay County, you’ve got options. We will come after drug dealers and those participating in narcotic activity that leads to a death. Do not come to our county and sell drugs,” he said.

The Robbery/Homicide and Organized Crime Units worked closely with the State Attorney’s Office to bring this case to the grand jury.

“The opioid crisis is a very real and steadily growing issue that threatens the safety and well-being of our community. By prosecuting dealers to the fullest extent possible, we hope to send a clear message that the actions of those who distribute these dangerous drugs will not be tolerated,” said State Attorney Melissa Nelson.

Brundige died of a drug overdose on November 10, 2016. Toxicology results showed she had well over the lethal amount of fentanyl in her system. Fentanyl can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin.

In 2016, 49 people in Clay County died because of a drug overdose. Of those, fentanyl was found in 28 cases. So far this year, there have been 16 drug overdose deaths. Fentanyl was found in eight of the cases.