A woman was in jail Wednesday after a grand jury indicted her in the death of a man who overdosed on drugs containing fentanyl she is accused of providing.
Prosecutors classified the case as a capital felony, indicating they could seek the death penalty against Amanda Ruth Copley, 47, of Newberry. She was booked into the Alachua County jail Tuesday. The formal charge against her is murder resulting from the distribution of a controlled substance.
Prosecutors last month charged her in the same case with selling drugs within 1,000 feet of Newberry Elementary; possession of opioids with intent to sell; owning, renting or leasing a home where drugs were sold; and money laundering. She had previously pleaded not guilty.
The victim questioned whether the drugs were laced before allegedly telling Copley, “I trust you. I am just checking,” according to the police report.
Police said the victim drove to Copley’s home to purchase 10 pills of Oxycodone Hydrochloride for $350, not knowing they were counterfeit. After leaving the residence, the victim texted Copley, stating the pills were “busted up” and green.
Copley assured the victim the pills were genuine. Police found the victim's body hours later next to green pills and a green powdery substance, according to the police report.
The police field-tested the green powdery substance, which tested positive for fentanyl and examined the victim's phone, finding texts between Copley and the victim.
According to court records, Copley later admitted to selling pills to the victim before the incident and selling the counterfeit drugs.
The grand jury indicted her earlier this week.
Copley has also been arrested on 16 other occasions, including a felony charge of defrauding a significant other of almost $3,000.
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