James Arthur Green, 43, of Miami, was arrested in St. Lucie County, Florida, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the end of a 115-mph I-95 chase that began when detectives moved in during a drug sting. Green is accused of supplying fentanyl to a person who died of an overdose on October 5 — and investigators say he had no idea his latest customer was already dead, because detectives used the victim’s own cellphone to lure him back for another delivery.
TL;DR: After a two-week investigation into the fatal fentanyl overdose, St. Lucie County detectives made undercover buys and traced the drugs to Green, a 10-time convicted felon. On October 13, they used the dead victim’s phone to order fentanyl; Green allegedly returned to the victim’s home and delivered the drugs, even texting a photo of the drop location. When detectives moved in, Green fled at 115 mph, threw drugs and a phone from the car, and was finally stopped by a PIT maneuver in Martin County. He now faces a long list of trafficking and felony charges and is held on a $440,000 bond.
The Overdose That Started It All
The case began with a death. On October 5, a person died of a suspected fentanyl overdose in St. Lucie County. Sheriff Richard Del Toro said detectives spent the next two weeks tracing where the victim bought the drugs: “We look into where these people have purchased narcotics from,” CBS12 reported. Undercover purchases of fentanyl, methamphetamine and crack cocaine pointed to Green, 43, of Miami, as the suspected supplier behind the fatal dose.
A Dead Man’s Phone Becomes the Trap
On Tuesday, October 13, detectives used the overdose victim’s cellphone to order fentanyl. Green allegedly took the bait: he returned to the victim’s home, delivered about two grams of fentanyl, and texted a photo showing exactly where he had left it — apparently not knowing the person was dead.
“He was nice enough to do that,” Del Toro said of the photo. “Let us know exactly where he left them,” CBS12 reported.
Later that same day, Green allegedly took part in a second controlled transaction, this one involving about two ounces of fentanyl and a pound of methamphetamine. When detectives moved to arrest him, the operation turned violent and fast.
The 115-MPH Chase Down I-95
Green fled in a vehicle, struck an unmarked sheriff’s office detective vehicle, and raced south onto I-95 into Martin County at about 115 mph, with Florida Highway Patrol troopers and Martin County deputies joining the chase. Authorities said he was seen throwing suspected narcotics and a cellphone out of the fleeing vehicle — a move that added a tampering-with-evidence charge. FHP troopers deployed stop sticks, and a trooper performed a PIT maneuver near Kanner Highway, ending the pursuit, according to CBS12. “I’m happy that it ended successfully and safely for everybody involved,” Del Toro said. “But this is a dangerous individual.”
SWAT Raid and a Record of Felonies
After the arrest, the sheriff’s office SWAT team raided Green’s residence in the 300 block of Southeast Naranja Avenue, recovering a pound of methamphetamine and two ounces of fentanyl from the controlled purchase, plus 22 more grams of meth, two grams of crack cocaine and a gram of fentanyl, Treasure Coast Today reported. Del Toro said Green is a 10-time convicted felon whose record includes cocaine trafficking, heroin sales, robbery with a firearm, and fleeing and eluding police. He was already out on bond on unrelated Miami-Dade County charges. “Obviously this guy does not want to turn his life around,” the sheriff said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is James Arthur Green?
A 43-year-old Miami man arrested October 13, 2026, by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities call him a 10-time convicted felon suspected of supplying the fentanyl that killed an overdose victim on October 5.
What did Green allegedly do?
Detectives say Green supplied fentanyl to a person who died of an overdose on October 5, 2026. After a two-week investigation that included undercover drug purchases, investigators used the victim’s cellphone to order more fentanyl. Green allegedly returned to the victim’s home, delivered about two grams of fentanyl, and sent a photo showing the drop location — apparently not knowing the person had died.
How did the 115-mph chase happen?
When detectives tried to arrest Green during a second controlled transaction on October 13, he fled in a vehicle, struck an unmarked sheriff’s office detective vehicle, and raced south on I-95 into Martin County at about 115 mph. Florida Highway Patrol troopers used stop sticks and a PIT maneuver near Kanner Highway to end the pursuit.
What was found in the search of his home?
The SWAT team searched Green’s home on Southeast Naranja Avenue and recovered about a pound of meth and two ounces of fentanyl from the controlled purchase, plus 22 more grams of meth, two grams of crack and a gram of fentanyl.
What charges does Green face?
He faces fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, four counts of meth trafficking, sale of cocaine and unlawful use of a two-way communication device — plus aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, tampering with evidence, reckless driving and excessive speeding.
Is Green in custody?
Yes. He remains in the St. Lucie County Jail on a $440,000 bond set at his first appearance on October 14, 2026. He is presumed innocent of all charges until proven guilty in court.
What is Green’s criminal history?
Sheriff Richard Del Toro said Green is a 10-time convicted felon whose record includes cocaine trafficking, heroin sales, robbery with a firearm, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement. He was out on bond on unrelated charges in Miami-Dade County when arrested.
Did Green throw evidence from the car during the chase?
Authorities said Green was seen throwing suspected narcotics and a cellphone from the fleeing vehicle during the I-95 pursuit, which led to a tampering-with-evidence charge.
