Shawn R. Swindel, 24, of Imperial has been charged with second-degree murder for allegedly providing heroin to a St. Louis County man who died from overdosing on the drug, authorities report.
Swindel also has been charged with distribution or delivery of a controlled substance in the case, court papers show.
On Dec. 26, 2014, Swindel allegedly delivered two “buttons” of heroin to the victim, Joshua Loyd, 24, of south St. Louis County, who was found the next morning dead of a heroin overdose, the probable-cause statement said.
Swindel allegedly admitted to obtaining the heroin and taking it to the victim’s apartment, the report said.
On Jan. 21, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the murder charge, a class A felony, and the drug charge, a class B felony, against Swindel.
The murder charge carries a penalty of 10 to 30 years or life in prison, and the drug charge is punishable by five to 15 years in prison.
A $500,000 cash-only bond was set in the case.
Swindel currently is in the Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in St. Joseph, following a conviction for felony possession of a controlled substance tied to a June 2013 incident in Jefferson County, court records indicate.
In March 2015, Swindel was sentenced to five years in the case, but the sentence was suspended and he got five years’ probation. However, in November 2015, after he violated his probation, the five-year term was executed. He could be released early on that charge, though, if he successfully completes a 120-day treatment program, according to court documents.