Fort Myers man indicted for 1st

Jun 27, 2023

The State Attorney’s Office has announced the indictment of a Fort Myers man who is accused of selling fentanyl to a woman who later died of an overdose.

State Attorney Amira Fox said a Lee County grand jury indicted 30-year-old Joshua Robert Pulley on the charge of homicide via distribution of fentanyl after his arrest Thursday night.

Watch the press conference above or click here.

According to Fox, Pulley sold fentanyl to a woman, resulting in her death on Dec. 29, 2022. A press release states surveillance footage shows the victim met Pulley in the parking lot of a restaurant. Evidence also allegedly includes Pulley texting the victim prior to the meet-up.

The victim later died in her home, where her roommate found her, the press release states.

Fox implied Pulley could face additional charges because drugs and firearms were found at his residence.

“Our law enforcement agencies and I will not tolerate the distribution of deadly substances in this community if you sell this poison and somebody dies you are facing a first-degree capital murder charge,” Fox said.

Pulley is being held in the Lee County Jail without bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday morning.

Including Pulley, the State Attorney’s Office for the 20th Judicial Circuit, which covers most of Southwest Florida, has four people indicted with first-degree murder for deadly fentanyl overdoses.

Jessica Wright was the first locally charged with first-degree murder in March of 2020. She was sentenced to 30 years on manslaughter and drug charges after agreeing to take a plea.

Lacey Shaver, in Charlotte County, was indicted in March of 2021. Her next court date is scheduled for September.

Jamil Mahshie was indicted in March of last year in Charlotte County.

First-degree murder is punishable by death, but the state attorney’s office needs to file a declaration intending to seek the death penalty.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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