John Gromling sentenced to 20 years for murder charge related to 2022 fentanyl overdose death
CCSO mugshot graphic.
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Citrus County, Florida - During the week ending May 17, 2024, 32 year-old John Dylan Gromling of Beverly Hills was sentenced to serve 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections for the 2022 fentanyl overdose death of 53 year-old Bruce William Payne, caused by unlawful distribution of fentanyl. Gromling plead guilty and was sentenced on Count One: unlawful distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, and Count Two: possession of fentanyl.
This is the second case of its kind in Citrus County, and the first one to result in a conviction.
In August of 2022, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) responded to a residence in Inverness, Florida due to a deceased person who was later identified as Payne. Deputies located drug paraphernalia that tested positive for fentanyl. Through his investigation, Detective Dan Slingerland identified Gromling as the individual who had supplied Payne with the lethal dose of fentanyl.
"This sentencing underscores our unwavering commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis that plagues our communities. Fentanyl is not just an illicit drug - it is a weapon of mass destruction and sadly a death sentence for many unsuspecting victims," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "I want to make my message clear - we will not tolerate these peddlers of death in our community. I am incredibly proud of our detectives and our partners at the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office for assisting us in the successful prosecution of this case."