Jones convicted of murder for fentanyl sale that led to death in August 2020.
A Lake City drug dealer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for supplying the drugs that led to a death from an overdose.
Christopher Jones, 56, was found guilty by a jury to first-degree murder and three counts of sale or delivery of a controlled substance late Tuesday evening. Third Circuit Judge Melissa Olin sentenced Jones to life in prison. The conviction is believed to be the first in the circuit where a drug dealer was charged for a death from the narcotics they supplied.
“This is a landmark conviction in our area,” Sheriff Mark Hunter said in a release. “Mr. Jones will spend the rest of his life in prison and will no longer be able to cause harm in our community.”
Jones was found guilty of supplying the drugs, specifically fentanyl, that led to the death of Haeley Drake in August 2020. Two other suspects, Rosandra Crusaw and Zachary Johnson, pled guilty to manslaughter for their role in the death, testified against Jones during the trial. Sentencing will be held March 15 for Crusaw and March 22 for Johnson.
Drake was found unresponsive by deputies on Aug. 14, 2020, and was transported to the hospital but she had already passed away. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office’s preliminary investigation indicated the death was due to a possible overdose, leading to a nearly year-long investigation.
Jones, Crusaw and Johnson were all arrested in July 2021.
According to the State Attorney’s Office for the Third Circuit, CCSO investigators found fentanyl in Drake’s room that was branded with the label, “hot sauce.”
A confidential informant bought the same brand of fentanyl from Jones just days later.
A Drug Enforcement Administration chemist confirmed the drugs in Drake’s room matched those purchase by the informant, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Cell phone records also show Jones communicated with Crusaw and Johnson leading up to the sale that led to Drake’s death as well as the undercover purchases by law enforcement.
“I commend our detectives and law enforcement partners who stayed the course during this complex investigation as well as our State Attorney’s Office who pursued justice on behalf of the victim and her family in this case,” Hunter added in the release.
The case was prosecuted by First Assistant State Attorney Garrett Hill and Assistant State Attorney Sean Crisafulli.