Today State Attorney Amira Fox convened the Lee County Grand Jury and they returned an indictment against Michael John Maree for one count of First-Degree Murder – Unlawful Distribution of Fentanyl Causing Death, a Capital Felony, and Sale or Delivery of a Controlled Substance, a Second-Degree Felony, for the death of a man who died after being given Fentanyl.
The indictment reads in part:
Count I: On or about January 1, 2024, in Lee County, Florida, the defendant did unlawfully, being then eighteen (18) years of age or older, kill and murder the victim, a human being, by the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, to wit: Fentanyl or any mixture containing Fentanyl, as described in Florida Statute 893.03(2)(b)(9); and the said controlled substance or any mixture thereof, caused, or is proven to have been a substantial factor in producing, the death of the victim, contrary to Florida Statutes 782.04(1)(a)(3); 777.011
Count II: On or about January 1, 2024, in Lee County, Florida, did knowingly and unlawfully sell or deliver a controlled substance, to wit: Fentanyl, contrary to Florida Statutes 893.13(1)(a)(1); 777.011
The defendant is accused of inviting the victim to his home to sell the victim drugs. While in the defendant’s driveway, the victim was given a baggie with a powdery substance inside. After snorting the substance, the victim immediately fell to the ground and died. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to investigate.
The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a test of the residue in the baggie from the crime scene and the substance tested positive for Fentanyl. The Medical Examiner also confirmed that the victim’s cause of death was due to Acute Fentanyl Toxicity.
“Today’s Grand Jury Indictment should serve as a very clear reminder that anyone who gives illegal narcotics to another person, which results in death, will face a possible indictment for First-Degree Murder. There is zero tolerance for lives to continue to be ended due to drug pushers who have no regard for human life. A family is still mourning the recent loss of a loved one, whose life was cut short, due to the greed of another. I hope this indictment brings them some sense of comfort. I want to thank the Lee County Grand Jury for listening to the evidence and I would also like to thank Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno and his agency, for their immediate response to this crime scene and detailed investigation,” said State Attorney Fox.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office