Late Friday (Oct 23), a Seminole County Grand Jury indicted Daniel BACHERT (27) for First-Degree Murder by Distribution of a Controlled Substance (LF), and Miguel CRUZ-PEREZ (33) for First-Degree Premeditated Murder (CF) in separate incidents.

 

On January 22, 2020, an unresponsive Jessica Ackerman (19), was left in a wheelchair at a local hospital for treatment. She later died and the medical examiner identified the cause of death as a fentanyl overdose. A subsequent investigation identified BACHERT as the person who provided the fentanyl taken by Ackerman causing her death. The Grand Jury heard testimony from a Seminole County Sheriff's Office Investigator and the Seminole County Medical Examiner before returning with their indictment.

 

On June 3, 2020, Sanford Police responded to a 9-11 call at 12202 Stone Brook Dr. and discovered the body of Samantha Feliciano-Rivera in the home. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide by strangulation and the investigation identified her fiancé' CRUZ-PEREZ as the person who killed her. The Grand Jury heard testimony from a Sanford Police Investigator and the Seminole County Medical Examiner before returning with their indictment.

 

CRUZ-PEREZ remains in custody at the Seminole County Jail on No Bond. BACHERT, who was initially charged with Manslaughter posted a $15K bond on the condition that he enter a drug treatment program. The Court has ordered his bond will stand while he completes the mandatory drug treatment program. No trial date has been set in either case.

 

Please consult the Seminole Clerk of Court website for the updates on future court appearances by these defendants.