Two individuals who were previously taken into custody for allegedly supplying drugs to a resident of Waynesburg, resulting in a tragic overdose, are now being charged with homicide.
Waynesburg police have withdrawn and refiled charges against Jake Anthony Finogle and Tiffany Gump. The new charges now include criminal homicide in addition to the previous charges of drug delivery resulting in death.
Two individuals from Waynesburg, Finogle, 24, and Gump, 28, have been accused of providing Taylor Lee Arthur with marijuana laced with fentanyl on June 19. The tragic discovery made near the 800 block of East Greene Street: Arthur, a 25-year-old, was found deceased along train tracks.
Court documents state that Gump informed the police about their intention to lace the marijuana, leading to Arthur’s overdose and death. According to Finogle, he informed investigators that he had informed Arthur about the presence of fentanyl in the drugs before giving them to him.
According to Greene County District Attorney Brianna Vanata, homicide charges were not initially filed in the case due to the investigators’ belief that additional evidence was necessary.
“The Waynesburg police were able to support the defendants’ statements with concrete evidence,” stated Vanata.
Based on the criminal complaint, law enforcement received information from a woman who reported that Gump and Finogle had delivered a bag of Arthur’s clothes on the day of his death, suggesting their possible involvement.
According to Gump, the clothes were discovered near the tracks following the police’s discovery of Arthur’s body. Investigators stated that it was not possible, as the police had already conducted a comprehensive search of the scene.
According to the charging documents, she mentioned a hat when describing the contents of the bag. Surprisingly, the hat was discovered at the scene and taken by the police as evidence.
As per the complaint, during an interview with investigators, Finogle acknowledged being aware of Arthur’s distress and regularly monitoring his pulse.
Arthur’s body was discovered by the police in a position that contradicted the findings of the subsequent autopsy. It was determined that he had initially passed away facing down and was later repositioned.
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According to court documents, there is mention of another individual involved in the alleged plot, although this person has not been charged with any crimes at this time as reported by Herald-Standard.
“They have not been charged at this time, but the investigation is still ongoing,” Vanata stated.
Finogle and Gump faced additional charges, including misdemeanors of tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The arraignment took place on Tuesday afternoon before District Judge Lee Watson. Both individuals have been held in the Greene County jail without bond since their initial arrest last week.
Mark your calendars for a preliminary hearing set to take place at 1:30 p.m. on July 10.
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