JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced a manslaughter arrest Tuesday afternoon, ending a long-term investigation that started with a deadly overdose in July.
During a news conference Tuesday, Sheriff T.K. Waters announced the arrest of Robert Graham, 44, in connection to a death on July 25, 2023, that was ruled an overdose. Police said a variety of drugs, including fentanyl and opioids, were found at the scene of the overdose.
Once the death was ruled an overdose, Waters said investigators set out to locate where and who the drugs came from, which led them to Graham.
During the duration of the investigation, undercover detectives made multiple drug transactions with Graham, who is a registered felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. Detectives learned that Graham was in possession of firearms and narcotics, and had an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault with a firearm.
Graham was arrested last week on multiple charges, including armed trafficking of fentanyl, armed sale of fentanyl, armed trafficking of methamphetamines, five counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, three counts of sale of fentanyl, and armed possession of cocaine.
Graham was also arrested on his outstanding warrant for assault with a firearm.
During a search of Graham's vehicle, investigators found three handguns, a shotgun and rifle, 368 grams of meth, 9 grams of cocaine, 9 grams of fentanyl, 30 oxycodone pills and $3410 in cash. The firearms that were seized during the search will be examined by forensics to determine if they were used to commit any violent crime, according to police.
On Monday, Graham was charged with manslaughter in the July overdose death.
"Those who profit off the pain of those in our community struggling with addiction will be held accountable," said Waters. "One overdose death in our community is one too many. These deaths are preventable, and we will continue to aggressively pursue those who supply these lethal poisons to vulnerable members of our community."
Waters ended the conference by speaking directly to those in the community who participate in the sale of drugs.
"If you're selling drugs, selling opioids and fentanyl in our community, now's the time to stop, because we're coming and we're gonna keep coming."