Fort Myers and Cape Coral fentanyl dealers face murder charges in deaths

FORT MYERS, Fla.—Two men in Southwest Florida faced first-degree murder charges for allegedly selling fentanyl that resulted in three deaths. 

State Attorney Amira Fox announced the indictments, highlighting a firm stance against drug dealers in the region. 

Joseph Henry Roberts of Fort Myers was indicted for selling fentanyl to a woman who died in October 2025. Meanwhile, Vadim Manolov of Cape Coral was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and multiple drug offenses related to fentanyl sales in 2024.

Prosecutors said two people died and a third overdosed after being sold fentanyl by Manolov.

Fox emphasized the commitment to holding drug dealers accountable.

"We will catch you, and then we will continue to charge you with the highest crime available, first-degree murder," said Fox. "We will not back down from this, and that's a promise. We will continue to seek justice for victims who are who have left us, who have died, and for their families and friends."

Both cases will proceed through the court system. Prosecutors said they aim to pursue the toughest possible charges in fentanyl-related deaths.