A 20-year-old man accused of selling drugs to a man who overdosed and died late last year has now been charged in the death.
Agrand jury last week handed up an indictment charging Marquis Rosado with first-degree murder.If convicted, he faces life behind bars.
This is the latest in a string of similar cases locally.Last year, David Michael Long, 51, pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the drug overdose death of Lori Anne Smith.
Prison time:Ocala man charged with providing drugs in fatal overdose sentenced to 15-year prison term
20-year term:Ocala man sentenced by judge to 20 years for woman's 2018 drug overdose death
Drug bust:Cuban national charged with operating marijuana grow house in Marion Oaks
Two months ago,Zachary Ian Powers, was sentenced to a20-year prison termin a plea deal in the death ofGloria Rivera. Powers, 32, pleaded no contest to several charges that included manslaughter.
Local drug officials said in 2021 there were 107 fentanyl-related overdose deaths. So far this year, the number is 77.
Drug officials saidmost of the overdose deaths they investigate involvefentanyl. They believe the deadly drugs are coming into this country from Mexico.
Sheriff's office: Rosado made multiple statements
Rosado was taken into custody Aug. 25 and booked into the Marion County Jail. He's being held without bail. A callmade by a Star-Banner reporter to the office ofRosado's defense attorney was not returned.
Deputies found Rosado at his girlfriend's residence in Marion Oaks. A man there told deputiesRosadotold him that he (Rosado) had sold drugs to a man who died. Rosado told the man that the victim had overdosed several times before, and that fact might help his (Rosado's) defense.
Rosado was taken to the Marion County Sheriff's Office for an interview. He declined to speak to detectives about the case, officials said.
However, while inside the interview room, Rosado made several calls on his cellphone. Such calls are not privileged, and law enforcement is not prohibited from overhearing what's being said.
During one call, to his mother, Rosado was overheard saying: "Mom, I don't know if I can get out of this," according to an arrest affidavit.
In a second call,alsoto his mother, Rosado was overheard saying:"Mom, I'm done, they're charging with murder."
The person on the other end of the line asked for what.
Rosado said:"The (expletive) with Marcus." That is the victim's first name.
He then called his girlfriend and told her "I don't think I'm ever gonna see you again," according to the affidavit.
Fentanyl overdose death & investigation
In October 2021, MCSODetective Andrew Canterberry responded to an overdose that claimed the life of Marcus Lane II, 26. Searching the victim's room,sheriff's officials recoveredpills that were identified as oxycodone hydrochloride. A cellphone was also found.
Reviewing information on the phone, detectives foundtext messages betweenLane and an unknown person. According to the messages, Lane wanted to buy two Percocet pills from the unknown individual and gave the person his address.
A Medical Examiner's Office report later ruled that Lane's death was from fentanyl and ethanol toxicity.
Canterberry reviewed home security video that showed a dark-colored Hondaat Lane's home. Lane met with the driver and the vehicle drove away after several minutes.
The detective was told that the driver could be Rosado. Information obtained by Canterberry showed an older model black Honda is registered to Rosado, and that was the kind of vehicle seen at Lane's residence.
Text messages from anumber used by Lane and thesecond number, believed to be used by Rosado, indicated the two men engaged in some type of deal.
There were other phone calls between the numbers, and one call occurred just before the Honda arrived at Lane's residence, authorities said.
Interviewing Rosado after the victim's death
Canterberry was able to verify that one of the two numbers belongs to Rosado. The detective met with Rosado in December 2021 and Rosado said the number belongs to him.
Officials said although the number associated with Rosado was suspended in October 2021, the messages viewed bydetectives were sent nearly two weeks before the cutoff.
Rosado told Canterberryhe knew Lane when they worked togetherand that Lane used pills. He said Lane would drink alcohol with the pills, according to officials. While Lane told the detective he doesn't know where Lane gets his pills, he said if he wanted to get pills, he would get them from the victim.
Rosado arrested at traffic stop
Detectives continued their investigation and got probable cause to arrest Rosado. He was picked up in January 2022 after a traffic stop for a minor violation. They searchedthe vehicle he was driving and found a loaded firearm and marijuana.
Rosado was charged with possession of a firearm by a delinquent and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams. He was also charged with sale and possession of a controlled substance and improper use of a two-way communication device.
Marion County Jail records show he was released after posting a $9,000 bond several hours after his arrest.
With the arrest, the detective continuedwith their investigation and was able to connect Rosado to the victim. The pills found near the victim wereanalyzed and determined to be fentanyl.
Contact Austin L. Miller ataustin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
