BUNNELL, FL – On Friday 6/16, a Grand Jury indicted Nysean Dwight Giddens, 25, on First Degree Murder for the sale of drugs that led to the overdose death of Shaun Callahan on September 13th, 2020. Giddens was originally charged with Manslaughter for Callahan’s death, but the Grand Jury found probable cause for 1st Degree Murder under Florida Statute 782.04 (1)(a)(3). This statute applies to any person who causes the death of another while intentionally committing or attempting to commit a felony.
Nysean Giddens during booking.
Following Callahan’s death, FCSO detectives found a white powdery substance in his room that was later identified as fentanyl. Utilizing investigative techniques, the detectives were able to determine that Giddens was the drug dealer who sold the illegal drugs that ultimately caused the victim’s death.
Giddens was arrested on September 14, 2020 by the FCSO Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and Major Case Detectives during an undercover operation, where he admitted to selling narcotics to the victim the night before. During the arrest, detectives located fentanyl hidden on Giddens’s person, as well as cannabis in his vehicle. Giddens was arrested for Possession of Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cannabis Under 20 grams, and Unlawful Use Of a 2-Way Communications Device.
FCSO Detectives advised Giddens that Callahan had died from an overdose on the narcotics Giddens had sold to him. Giddens then made further admissions.
“Sadly, this dirtbag poison peddler was on pre-trial release when he sold the fatal dose. I’m very proud of our detectives who worked quickly to identify and apprehend this poison peddler before he could sell more fatal poison. I also want to thank the Grand Jury and State Attorney Larizza for getting us one step closer to locking away this deadly drug-dealer for good,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “While these cases take time and are difficult to make let this arrest be a reminder to drug dealers – we investigate every overdose death as a murder. If you kill someone with your poison, we will do everything we can to lock you up for a very long time, hopefully for life!”
Giddens is facing Life in Prison upon conviction. His trial is set to begin on July 17th, 2023. Giddens is also facing two counts of Unlawful Use of a 2-Way Communications Device, and one count each of Possession of Marijuana (20 grams or less), Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 ft of a School, and Violation of Pretrial Release. He is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on no bond.
