HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a fatal drug overdose that occurred in December 2023.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office launched a death investigation after 36-year-old Shawn Wallace was found deceased from a suspected overdose at a Valrico residence on December 29, 2023. Detectives determined that Joseph Bellamy, 48, had supplied the narcotics that led to Wallace’s overdose.
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On February 25, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for Bellamy, and he was taken into custody without incident. He faces one count of Murder in the First Degree, which resulted from the Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance.
“Selling dangerous narcotics isn’t just a crime; it’s a direct threat to lives in our community,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We will not stand by while drug dealers poison our streets. If you choose to sell these deadly substances, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable.”
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The investigation remains active.
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