The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office today charged a Sarasota man with Manslaughter after he provided fentanyl to a woman who died from an overdose.
Detectives launched their investigation on July 27, 2017 after deputies responded to the overdose death of a 58-year-old Sarasota woman. When deputies arrived at the victim’s home in the 4500 block of Barton Drive, they located several pieces of narcotics equipment including suspected heroin. Through surveillance video coupled with digital forensic investigation that revealed text messages on the victim’s cellphone, detectives identified Bernard Mullen, DOB 11/13/66, as the suspect who supplied the drugs to the victim. Based on findings provided by the Medical Examiner’s Office, it was confirmed the victim died from intoxication of fentanyl.
Following a lengthy investigation, Mullen was arrested Friday morning near Chicago. Detectives worked in partnership with the agency’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit and members of both the Florida and Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Forces to locate Mullen in Lake County, Illinois. Mullen, of 5332 Ruby Lane, is charged with Sale or Delivery of Fentanyl and Manslaughter. He will soon be extradited back to Sarasota County to face his charges.