State Attorney Amira Fox convened the Lee County Grand Jury this week and they have returned an indictment against Anthony Michael Hicks on one count of First Degree Murder – Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance, a capital felony, and one count of Trafficking in Fentanyl – 4 grams or more in Actual Possession of a Firearm, a life felony. The defendant was arrested this morning in Collier County.
The indictment alleges in part, that between October 25th and October 26th, 2023, in Lee County, the defendant did unlawfully, kill the victim, by the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, to wit, fentanyl, or mixture thereof, and the said controlled substance, or mixture thereof, caused or is proven to have been a substantial factor in producing the death of the victim.
“The defendant in this case made the decision to sell a Fentanyl pill in place of a Percocet to a 25- year-old woman, thus taking her life. I made the decision that every time I can prove one of these cases, if you sell or distribute an unlawful substance to someone and it kills them, I can and will prosecute you for first degree capital murder. Consider this a warning and a promise to anyone who chooses to engage in this type of conduct,” said State Attorney Amira Fox.
Assistant State Attorney Hamid Hunter of the State Attorney’s Office Homicide Unit is prosecuting the case. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation into this crime.
“Together, we make a stronger team that is fighting the battle against drug use, the sale of narcotics, and those who deal deadly doses in Lee County,” stated Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “There is zero doubt that our continued partnership with State Attorney Amira Fox and the entire State Attorney’s Office is what will continue to bring these investigations to justice. Today is an important day, as one more dangerous poison peddler is officially out of business and behind bars where he truly belongs.”
“I hope today’s indictment brings some sense of comfort to the family and friends of the victim. I also want to thank the Lee County Grand Jury for their focus as they heard this case. I will not tolerate the sale of illegal drugs in Southwest Florida. I will continue to focus on the prosecution of those who deal this deadly poison on our streets,” said State Attorney Fox.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office