A Florida woman is facing charges of attempted murder after allegedly drugging an older man she met on a dating app and slipping drugs into his drink, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Samantha Adams, 39, is accused of poisoning the 69-year-old victim, whom she knew only by the name 'Nala,' on at least three occasions during a transactional romantic relationship that lasted two to three months.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated that Adams's requests became more significant as their relationship progressed. The alleged poisoning incidents culminated on August 17 following an argument at the victim's home in Haines City over a vehicle he had purchased for Adams. After the dispute, Adams reportedly went to the kitchen, retrieved two glasses of whiskey, and served them to herself and the victim. The victim consumed one drink before they became intimate.
During their encounter, Adams allegedly stopped and demanded $1,000 to continue. When the victim refused, she left his residence. Later that evening, the victim lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital, where he was informed he had suffered a benzodiazepine overdose. The victim told authorities he did not take such medication.
The victim later reported to detectives that he had experienced other suspicious instances of feeling unwell after drinking with Adams. He recalled one occasion where he became unsteady and fell in her home after having a drink. On another instance, he felt drowsy after leaving Adams's residence and backed into a deputy's car. In both situations, the victim stated he had consumed little alcohol but experienced disproportionate intoxication.
Detectives initiated an investigation into Adams on August 20. She was arrested seven days later by the Polk County Sheriff's Office at a shopping center where she had arranged to meet the victim. Officers intercepted her vehicle in the parking lot and took her into custody.
During her arrest, Adams was found in possession of a prescription bottle containing 19 hydrocodone/acetaminophen pills, 2.5 oxycodone hydrochloride pills, nine Sertraline pills, and partial pills of Adderall and Xanax, all prescribed to someone else. She faces charges including second-degree attempted murder, tampering with evidence, offering to commit prostitution, and possession of drug paraphernalia and various controlled substances.
Adams is currently being held at the Polk County Jail on a $42,500 bond. Sheriff Judd indicated that the investigation is ongoing, as his office believes Adams may have had additional victims. "Her motivation is money, and as we have seen with this case, she is willing to go to great lengths to get money - including murder," Judd said.
