Flagler Files Its 1st Murder Charge For An Alleged Drug Dealer In An Overdose Death

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Palm Coast, FL - An alleged Palm Coast drug dealer is now facing murder charges in an October 2017 drug overdose death case.

On October 28, 2017, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies found 23-year-old Savannah DeAngelis unconscious at her Front Street home in Palm Coast after receiving reports of a possible drug overdose. DeAngelis later died after spending almost two weeks on life support at Florida Hospital Flagler.

Detective Nicole Thomas with the Major Case Unit of the Investigative Services Division took over the case as a homicide investigation. An investigation uncovered surveillance video that showed Joseph Colon, 34, coming into DeAngelis’ subdivision at around 11:30 AM on October 28. According to the FCSO, witnesses saw a man driving a black Nissan stop at DeAngelis’ house.

She reportedly ran to the Nissan and was given something from inside before the car drove away. Less than thirty minutes later, DeAngelis’ father found her unconscious in the bathroom next to a syringe, an empty bag, and a bag holding heroin and what is believed to be Fentanyl.

After being stopped for a traffic violation on November 6, Colon was arrested and charged with trafficking in hydromorphone, possession of oxycodone, driving with a suspended license, and possession of heroin, crack cocaine, and Alprazolam with the intent to distribute. Colon has since been held at the Flagler County Detention Facility without bond.

(Colon mugshot courtesy of the FCSO)

On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, Colon was indicted by a Grand Jury for the 1st-degree murder of DeAngelis. Colon is the first alleged drug trafficker in Flagler County to be charged with murder due to an overdose death since Florida State Statute 782.04 was amended on October 1, 2017. The change allows drug traffickers to be charged with murder if their dealing results in death.

“In 2017, I directed that our agency investigate all overdoses in the hopes of identifying the poison peddlers,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “I also directed that all overdose deaths be investigated as a murder investigation. I hope this arrest helps bring justice to the family and to anyone else who has been the victim of Joseph Colon, a deadly poison pusher.”

On Wednesday, DeAngelis’ family, Sheriff Staly, and State Attorney R.J. Larizza held a press conference to discuss the indictment and Colon’s arrest. You can watch the press conference on the FCSO’s Facebook page.

“To the drug dealers in Flagler County – if you pedal poison in this community we are coming after you. If you murder someone with your drugs, we will find you, track you down and arrest you for murder. It will be our goal that you spend the rest of your life in prison,” said Sheriff Staly.

(Photo of the press conference courtesy of the FCSO)

Sheriff Stacy thanked Detective Thomas and other FCSO detectives, the CSI, the Special Investigations Unit, and State Attorney R.J. Larizza and his staff for their efforts to build and present their case against Colon.

Photo courtesy of Kenishirotie and Shutterstock.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.