Florida man guilty of murder in fentanyl overdose case

A Florida man has been found guilty of murder in a fentanyl overdose case.

At the end of a three-day trial this month, a Flagler County jury found defendant Brian Pirraglia guilty of death by unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

After a brief hearing, Judge Dawn Nichols sentenced Pirraglia to life in prison.

On February 8, 2022, authorities responded to Pirraglia’s home, where he advised first responders that the victim was suffering from an injury related to a possible seizure. The victim was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead a few hours later.

As the investigation continued, several pieces of drug paraphernalia and fentanyl were found in the Pirraglia’s bedroom, where the victim and Pirraglia were reportedly located shortly before 911 was called.

An autopsy later determined that the cause of death was actually fentanyl toxicity. Evidence presented at trial showed that Pirraglia distributed the fentanyl to the victim by injection.

The case was investigated by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant District Attorneys Jason Lewis and Jennifer Dunton successfully prosecuted the case for the State.