Suspect Arrested for Murder in Riverview Man’s Overdose Death
Authorities have announced the arrest of a 32-year-old man charged with murder in connection to the overdose death of a 23-year-old Riverview resident. The suspect, Quadrian Jamar Harris, was apprehended by U.S. Marshals on Tuesday in Tampa after being wanted for approximately one year.
Harris faces significant charges, including first-degree murder, which stems from the alleged distribution of a controlled substance. According to reports from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Harris is accused of selling fentanyl to Jordan Andrew Johnson, leading to Johnson’s tragic death.
The incident unfolded on November 19, 2023, when deputies and paramedics were dispatched to a residence located at the 8000 block of Hancock Street. Upon arrival, they discovered Johnson unresponsive. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that day. An autopsy confirmed that fentanyl intoxication was the cause of death.
In the course of the investigation, law enforcement personnel searched a travel trailer on the property where Johnson had been residing. During this search, they uncovered a bag containing a substances that tested positive for fentanyl, along with a syringe and other drug paraphernalia. Additionally, detectives examined Johnson’s phone, uncovering text messages indicating an arrangement to purchase three grams of fentanyl from a contact saved as “Jak Jak” on November 17.
Subsequently, detectives posing as Johnson utilized his phone to coordinate a purchase of fentanyl with the individual known as Jak Jak, planning to meet at a CVS store in Riverview on November 30. During the arranged meeting, Harris appeared and was taken into custody, possessing approximately four grams of fentanyl at the time of his arrest.
Further investigations revealed that Harris had a phone with him that rang upon detectives calling the Jak Jak contact number, demonstrating a connection to another contact named “Jordy.” Although Harris acknowledged his acquaintance with Johnson and identified himself as Jak Jak, he denied meeting with Johnson on the specified date.
Following his initial arrest, Harris was charged with trafficking in fentanyl and resisting an officer without violence but was released on bail shortly thereafter. In late April 2024, detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest on the murder charge associated with Johnson’s death. Harris failed to appear for a court date concerning the initial charges on May 1, 2024, making him a fugitive until his arrest this week.
As of Wednesday, Harris is being held without bond at the county jail, illustrating the serious nature of the charges against him. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the widespread issue of opioid-related deaths and the legal ramifications for those involved in the distribution of such substances, especially in contexts leading to fatalities.
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