A Venice woman was sentenced to 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 10 years of probation after being found guilty of a 2020 murder.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office says Lacey Jayne Shaver, 35, became the first person ever to be indicted for murder for unlawful distribution of drugs in the county.
In July 2020, reports say Shaver distributed a controlled substance containing fentanyl, which resulted in the death of a Punta Gorda woman.
According to the arrest affidavit, Shaver and the woman were friends. Shaver reportedly took her friend to the boat where another man was waiting at 5600 Delton Drive and handed her a needle with drugs.
Court documents say Shaver took off after a few failed attempts to revive her friend for fear of getting arrested. Another man on the boat called authorities.
Shaver was arrested and has been indicted on the following charges:
- First-degree murder
- Two counts of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver
- Two counts of delivery of a controlled substance
“I want to thank the members of the Grand Jury for their hard work on this case. I hope today’s history making indictment brought forth by the Charlotte County Grand Jury serves as a stark reminder that selling, buying, or distributing drugs will not be tolerated,” said State Attorney Fox.
Following the indictment, Shaver plead nolo-contendere to the charge of manslaughter by capital negligence.
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