Just one year after 17-year-old Devin Ramos died of a fentanyl overdose, the state of Florida has passed a new law that could hold juvenile drug dealers accountable for overdose deaths — a legal shift that Hillsborough County officials say was long overdue. Senate Bill 612, signed into law earlier this year and set to take effect July 1, allows prosecutors to charge juveniles with third-degree murder if the drugs they sell result in someone’s death. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him and miss him tremendously,” Devin’s mother, Amy Olmdea, said through tears during a news conference Monday, marking the anniversary of her son’s death. “I am at peace now that my son’s life is not in vain,” she said. Devin and a friend bought what they believed were Percocet pills on June 3, 2024. Both pills were laced with fentanyl. Both teens overdosed — Devin fatally. But because the person who sold them the pills was under 18, Florida law at the time prevented prosecutors from filing adult charges. 'Holding drug dealers accountable, no matter how old they are' “While we can never bring Devin back, drug dealers who think there is a loophole in facing justice — think again,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “If you used a knife or a gun to kill someone, you could be charged as an adult. But if you poisoned someone with fentanyl, the law treated it differently — until now.” Chronister said he attended Devin’s funeral and promised Olmdea he would work to change the law. “That day was the worst day of my life,” Olmdea said. “But now, because of this new law, other families will get justice.” Under the new law, juveniles who distribute drugs that result in death can be charged with a second-degree felony — third-degree murder — and face up to 15 years in prison. “This new law is about saving lives and holding drug dealers accountable, no matter how old they are,” Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez said. “Before, our hands were tied. Now, we can act.” Lopez emphasized the law is intended to deter young dealers who previously felt immune to prosecution due to their age. “They drew a line in the sand and said, if you put this poison out into our community, you will be held accountable,” Lopez said. Impact of Florida's new drug law Chronister acknowledged one of the ongoing challenges will be proving a dealer knew they were selling fentanyl. Still, he believes SB 612 gives law enforcement and prosecutors a critical new tool. “If it keeps one child from losing his or her life, we’ve been successful,” he said. “It started with a tragedy. Sparked a conversation. And led to real, meaningful change.” As for Olmdea, she hopes her son’s story continues to make an impact. “I don’t want to see another mother go through what I went through,” she said. “I pray one day that as a community we come together to make a difference — to get fentanyl out of our neighborhoods, and away from our youth.”