Today (Jan 11) Brandon Scott HUGHES (33) entered a plea of guilty to one (1) count of 2nd Degree Felony Murder and one (1) count of Sale or Delivery of a Controlled Substance, for his role in the 2016 death of Caroline Ralph (27). Judge Melanie Chase adjudicated HUGHES guilty and sentenced him to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 2 years community control on both counts, followed by 8 years probation and 3 years probation respectively. The sentences will be served concurrently.

On June 26, 2016, Caroline Ralph’s father discovered his daughter unresponsive in the family’s home in Oviedo. He rushed her to a hospital, but she stopped breathing enroute and later died. Alex Lindsey, a 27-year-old friend of Caroline’s who delivered the drugs to the victim was charged and plead guilty, sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of probation in January of 2017. Officers following the leads developed during their on-going investigation identified HUGHES as another suspect in the supply of the drug.

In a statement State Attorney Archer said “This conviction is part of the continuing effort by my office and Seminole County law enforcement to arrest and prosecute criminal drug dealers whose illegal trade has resulted in the overdose deaths of so many people in our community.” He added "I hope this helps bring closure to the Ralph family and serves as a warning to those who continue to recklessly endanger the lives of others for a profit."

Todd Brown
Public Information &
Communications
(321) 617-7310
(321) 704-0220 Mobile

Office of the State Attorney
18th Judicial Circuit
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Building D
Viera, Fl. 32940