FOUR INDICTED ON MANSLAUGHTER, DRUG CHARGES IN JANUARY DEATH OF 13-YEAR-OLD
GIRL

GARDEN GROVE - Hernando Sheriffs deputies outlined their case Thursday
against four men charged in the death of Shauna Ulman, 13, of Brooksville.

Sheriff's Maj. Rich Nugent said a two-month investigation focused on an
Old Ayers Road house where adults and teenagers frequently shared alcohol
and drugs.

Ulman died in the house Jan. 30 from an overdose of a prescription pain
reliever given to her by a friend, deputies contend.

Charged Wednesday with manslaughter were: Rufus W. Simpson Jr., 44, of
17183 Old Ayers Road, and his son, Rufus W. Simpson 111, 18, same address;
Joshua D. Leonard, 17, of 1013 Idonia Lane, Brooksville; and Christopher J.
Warren, 16, of 173 Hickory St., Brooksville. The two juveniles were charged
as adults.

The elder Simpson posted a $10,500 bond and was released Wednesday. Bail
was set at $25,000 for the other three. Nugent said events leading to
Uman's death began when a doctor prescribed oxycodone hydrochloride
painkillers last year for Warren's mother, who had cancer. After she died,
Warren discovered the remaining drugs and shared them with friends.
Authorities said Leonard bought 100 pills from Warren and traded them to
Rufus Simpson III for the drug Ecstasy.

On Jan. 30, authorities said, Simpson gave pills to at least eight teens
attending a party at his home. Two were Shauna Ulrnan and her sister,
Sommer, 14.

Toxicology reports this week showed Shauna's blood level of oxycodone was
230 times the lethal amount.

Nugent said that the elder Simpson told deputies, "At least it's safer for
the kids to use drugs in my house than out on the street." He is charged
with manslaughter, a felony, and having an open house party, a misdemeanor.

His son and the other two teens are charged with manslaughter, two counts
of possession and delivery of controlled substances and conspiracy to
obtain and distribute controlled substances, all felonies.