Derrick Smith Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Overdose Death of Jacksonville Woman

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Derrick Smith was found guilty by a jury of Conspiracy to Sell, Manufacture, or Deliver a Controlled Substance, Manslaughter, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device in the May 2021 death of a Jacksonville woman. Smith now faces up to 60 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Adrian Soud will schedule a sentencing hearing for Smith the week of March 7, 2022.

On May 4, 2021, a member of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Narcotics team responded to an Avondale home regarding a possible overdose death of a woman. The victim and victim’s mother lived together at the home; it was the victim’s mother who found the victim unresponsive and cold to the touch in her upstairs bedroom just after 5 p.m. An overdose investigation began, key evidence was discovered, and a timeline leading up to the death was established. The victim’s cellphone revealed extensive text conversations between Smith and the victim, including pictures of Smith and discussions of Smith offering her illegal narcotics. The texts also established the victim just after 1 a.m. May 4, 2021, met Smith to acquire the fentanyl in which she ultimately overdosed in the ensuing hours at her home that was near Smith’s residence. The victim did not have any communication with anyone else after meeting Smith, who was later arrested and charged.

“As the opioid epidemic continues to plague communities across the country, we remain steadfast in our commitment to hold drug dealers accountable for the deaths they cause,” said State Attorney Melissa Nelson.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Joe Licandro and Annie Maguire.