A Central Florida 21-year-old suspect was arrested in the fatal overdose of a 19-year-old and faces a murder charge.
After a four-month-long investigation, Baylee Jacobs was connected to the fatal overdose and was arrested out-of-state.
On February 8th, 2024, 19-year-old Eric Schertzer was found deceased in a residence in the 100 block of Susan Place in Valrico, near Tampa.
Through investigative means, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detectives identified 21-year-old Baylee Jacobs as a suspect in the case. Detectives were able to link the fatal drugs that the victim ingested back to Jacobs and obtained an arrest warrant.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Jacobs had relocated to Illinois from Florida. On June 24th, local authorities at the Sterling Police Department in Illinois apprehended Jacobs.
“Our opioid overdose investigators are relentless in their efforts to track down and apprehend those who seek to harm our community with dangerous drugs,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Their determination and hard work in tracing every lead was crucial in this investigation and led to the arrest of the individual responsible for putting poison on our streets for profit. Additionally, this joint effort emphasizes the importance of collaboration within law enforcement and highlights the shared mission to protect our communities and combat the opioid crisis.”
Jacobs is facing a First Degree Murder resulting from the Sale of a Controlled Substance charge.
My son,has also died,of a over dose,do to a female that gave fentaynol to my son.she to now is in jail for murder.it 2 me doesn’t matter if my son did drugs or this young boy you speak of.IF THESE DEALERS WHO KNOW THESE DRUGS CAN KILL,EVEN THEM SELVES,SELLTO ANYONE,THEY ARE MURDERERS!!! AN SHLD BE PUNISHED,NOT TO BE FREE AN KILLMORE,I FEEL THE PAIN ? THAT THESE POOR PARENTS OF THERE LOST SON ARE GOING THRO !!! I WILL GET JUSTICE FOR MY BELOVED SON,AN PRAY HIS POOR PARENTS WILL TO!!! SO SAD,GONETO SOON,R.I.P ERIC