3 Men Face Murder Charges In Connection With Drug Distribution Conspiracy Case

Three people are facing murder charges in connection with a drug distribution conspiracy case, Attorney General Mike Hunter said Thursday.

David Williams Jr., Clarence Merrell, Carlos Scruggs and Isidro Hernandez were charged in July in connection with a drug-dealing operation.

Williams, Scruggs and Hernandez were charged with two more counts of first-degree murder. Merrell was not charged because he died while in the Oklahoma County jail.

The state medical examiner's office determined two peopled died as a result of fentanyl overdoses.

Authorities seized more than 700 counterfeit oxycodone pills which tested positive for fentanyl, multiple guns and more than $16,000 in cash.

“Now that we know for certain these victims died because of the drugs provided by the defendants, we have charged them appropriately,” Hunter said in a news release. “Dismantling deadly drug distribution operations that are threatening the lives of Oklahomans is an important part of our core mission in public safety. Hopefully, these murder charges send a clear message we are aggressively pursuing those who sell drugs that cause a person’s death. I appreciate the dedication of our law enforcement partners who assisted with this case.”

Officials with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and the Drug Enforcement Administration aided in the investigation.

Williams, Scruggs and Hernandez are being held in the Oklahoma County jail.