A 56-year-old Florida man arrested in April 2023 for leading an extensive fentanyl distribution ring in Monroe County has been indicted for murder for his role in an overdose death.
“I want to thank the men and woman of the Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office, and our federal partners with the DEA, for their continued hard work to ensure that those who peddle this poison in our community are held to account,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay.
According to deputies, a Monroe County grand jury indicted Melvin Anthony Howard on a charge of first-degree murder for supplying the fentanyl that led to the Sept. 2, 2022, overdose death of 53-year-old Amanda Roberts of Grassy Key.
Alexis Joy Sather, 23, of Marathon, Florida was also arrested for murder in March 2023 in connection with Roberts’ death.
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Sather bought fentanyl from Howard, which she sold to Roberts, investigators say.
Howard is also facing charges of trafficking fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Howard’s initial arrest in April follows a 15-month investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration that led to the discovery
Howard was spearheading the distribution of approximately 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl throughout Monroe County.
Howard remains in jail on a $1.3 million bond.
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