Fourth Circuit Grand Jury Indicts Muller for First-Degree Murder

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Trumaine Devone Muller, 32, of Orange Park, with First-Degree Murder. If convicted on the count, Muller faces a mandatory sentence of Life in Florida State Prison.

According to court documents, the victim, Ariell Jade Brundige; her boyfriend, Tyler Hamilton; and her friend, Christopher Williams; purchased heroin Nov. 9, 2016, from Muller. Muller sold them fentanyl instead of heroin. The 18-year-old victim had never used heroin before and overdosed on the fentanyl in the early morning hours of Nov. 10, 2016.

“The opioid crisis is a very real and rapidly growing issue that threatens the safety and well-being of our community,” said Nelson. “We are strengthening our efforts against those who are distributing these dangerous drugs and will hold them accountable for the harm they cause, including these unfortunate overdose deaths.”

An indictment is simply a charging document alleging that a defendant committed one or more acts in violation of Florida criminal laws. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proved guilty.

The case has been investigated by Clay County Sheriff’s Office and will be prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Jonathan Sacks.