VENICE, Fla. (WFLA) — The Venice Police Department said a man was arrested and charged in connection with an overdose death that occurred in January.

Justin Companion, 41, was arrested on Oct. 6 and is accused of selling heroin to a man who police said died after using the drugs Companion sold him.

He was charged with second-degree murder under Florida’s Drug-Induced Homicide Law, which allows those selling illegal drugs to be held criminally responsible when the sale or delivery of a substance results in death.

“This is a significant step forward in our ongoing fight against the devastating effects of illegal narcotics in our community,” Venice Police Chief Andy Leisenring said. “Florida’s Drug-Induced Homicide Law gives law enforcement a powerful tool to hold dealers accountable for the lives lost to their actions. Every overdose death is a tragedy, and our department will continue to pursue justice for the victims and families impacted by this epidemic.” 

Companion was also charged with the sale of a Schedule 1 narcotic and criminal use of a two-way communication device. He was booked into the Sarasota County Jail, where he is being held without bond.