For the first time in Charlotte County, a woman has been charged with murder over illegal drug distribution

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – Prosecutor Amira Fox and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell announced a Charlotte County Grand Jury indictment against defendant Lacey Jayne Shaver.

This is the first time in Charlotte County that a person has been charged with murder for illegal drug distribution and only the second time in the 20th Judicial District.

Shaver was charged with the following:

• First Degree Murder – Unlawful Distribution of Fentanyl – Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver Within 1,000 Feet of a Park – First Degree Felony (two counts)
• Sale or Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a Park – Felony of the First Degree (two counts)

The indictment reads in part: “On or about July 19, 2020, in Charlotte County, Florida, (Lacey Shaver) unlawfully killed and murdered a person, being 18 years of age or older at the time, the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, viz fentanyl or a mixture containing such substance as described in Florida Statute 893.03(2)(b)(9); and said controlled substance or mixture containing said controlled substance was the proximate cause of the victim's death, contrary to Florida Statutes 782.04.”

“I would like to thank the members of the grand jury for their hard work on this case. “I hope that today’s historic indictment from the Charlotte County Grand Jury serves as a stark reminder that the sale, purchase or distribution of drugs will not be tolerated,” said District Attorney Fox.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office investigated this case and worked closely with the District Attorney's Office, resulting in Wednesday's indictment by the grand jury.

Following this indictment, Shaver charged Nolo-Contendere with involuntary manslaughter. Shaver was sentenced to 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 10 years of probation.

Copyright 2024 WWSB. All rights reserved.