Parrish drug dealer faces murder charge after overdose death, deputies say
After a suspected fatal overdose, deputies charged a Parrish man with murder, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
On Oct. 28 , the county’s Overdose Response Unit detectives found Jonathan Watson, 41, dead from a suspected overdose in the 400 block of Sunset Circle North in Ellenton, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.
The release said that detectives found evidence of cocaine use and text messages on Watson’s phone arranging to buy drugs from Toby Davis, 44.
Using Watson’s phone, detectives said they “coordinated a controlled meet with Davis.” After arriving at the house and seeing detectives, Davis “discarded a bag containing approximately 4.1 grams of cocaine,” the release said.
After Davis was taken into custody, detectives found another bag of cocaine on him, and he admitted to selling the drug to Watson the day before, according to the sheriff’s office.
Davis provided access to his cell phone, and was initially charged with possession with intent to sell, tampering with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the release.
But following the investigation, which included medical examiner and toxicology findings, “detectives established probable cause linking Davis to Watson’s death,” according to the sheriff’s office.
On Friday, March 20, Davis was arrested in Longboat Key and charged with murder by distribution of a controlled substance, according to the sheriff’s office.
Davis is being held in Manatee County Jail without bond for the second-degree murder charge.
