Teen drug dealer faces manslaughter charge in fatal overdose.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

A 17-year-old drug dealer from DeLand is in custody on manslaughter charges for the fatal fentanyl overdose of another 17-year-old, who was found lifeless in his bedroom in July. Following an exhaustive investigation, Daniel Arvizo was apprehended on Friday night regarding the July 30 demise of the DeLand teenager, who had recently purchased drugs from him.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced the arrest on Monday afternoon, accompanied by State Attorney R.J. Larizza, whose office will prosecute the case.

"You name it, he supplies it," Sheriff Chitwood said of the defendant Arvizo, whose text messages and other records substantiate his involvement in drug transactions with the victim. "Unfortunately, we have a 17-year-old dead because of it."

The overdose occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, July 30. During the early stages of the investigation, Detectives examined the victim’s phone and pinpointed Daniel Arvizo as the individual who had supplied the fatal dose. Text messages revealed that the victim had contacted Arvizo multiple times to purchase what he believed to be cocaine.

Members of the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force swiftly apprehended Arvizo on July 31, finding him in possession of approximately 1 gram of fentanyl and 1 pound of marijuana. He faced initial charges of sale and delivery of fentanyl, possession of cannabis with intent to distribute, unlawful use of a 2-way communication device, and possessing cannabis with intent to distribute.

The investigation into the tragic overdose persisted, with detectives utilizing various sources such as cell phone records, interviews, surveillance footage, and technological means to conclusively establish that Arvizo was the supplier of the fatal drugs.

In August, a medical examiner’s report confirmed the cause of death as fentanyl toxicity.

Detectives presented the compelling case to the State Attorney’s Office, leading to an order to take Arvizo into custody for manslaughter issued on Friday evening.

Arvizo was arrested, processed at the Volusia Family Resource Center, and transported to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center later that night, where he remains in custody. Detectives also identified Arvizo as the potential source of a substance that caused a female student to collapse on a bathroom floor at DeLand High School on September 19. Fortunately, the student survived after being revived and transported to the hospital.

Sheriff Chitwood and State Attorney Larizza issued calls for action from families in addressing and preventing juvenile crime and drug use. Furthermore, Sheriff Chitwood passionately advocated for school guardians on Volusia campuses to be permitted to carry Narcan, an opioid overdose-reversing nasal spray. He emphasized its availability at no cost to school districts and coverage under the Good Samaritan Act.

“We’re seeing fentanyl everywhere,” Sheriff Chitwood emphasized. “This arrest proves it. They’re classmates. They know who to ring up, and they know who’s supplying what.”

In addition to this heart-wrenching overdose, Sheriff Chitwood and the state attorney underscored various recent cases involving minors brandishing or using weapons, dealing drugs, and engaging in other criminal activities that imperil public safety and their futures.

“I just want folks out there to know that your kids are doing things that could ruin the rest of their lives, and also ruin the lives of other kids,” Larizza urged. “So please, parents, make it a point to be involved in what your kids are doing. Make it a point to check and see what they’re bringing to school.”