BARTOW, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced that a Bartow man, who has been held in Polk County Jail since last year, was indicted for first-degree murder related to a drug distribution case.
According to a news release, Troy Cortez Walker, 48, sold cocaine to 65-year-old Irene Anderson on Sept. 7, 2024. Anderson died after consuming the drug, with an autopsy confirming acute cocaine toxicity as the cause of death, the release states.
“The next morning, our victim gets up, gets dressed, and is on her way to church when she gets outside of her door and collapses,“ Judd said during a Friday news conference.
Walker was arrested on Oct. 25, 2024, by Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives. At that time, he faced multiple charges including possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Four days after his arrest, additional charges were filed against Walker, including conspiracy to sell cocaine and oxycodone, as well as unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Judd condemned drug dealers in his remarks.
“Drug dealers are parasites in our communities who not only distribute illegal narcotics, but they also spread addiction, suffering, and death,” Judd said.