Security News: St. Louis man sentenced to 17 years in prison for distributing fatal fentanyl dose

Source: United States Department of Justice News

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Tuesday sentenced a St. Louis man who sold a fatal dose of fentanyl to 17 years in prison.

On March 6, 2020, Markquis Bryant sold fentanyl to a Florissant man who was found dead early the next morning in his home by his father.

Florissant police officers determined the fentanyl came from Bryant, and then conducted an undercover operation in which fentanyl was purchased from Bryant at his home in the 5300 block of Queens Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. 

During the execution of a federal search warrant on March 26, 2020, investigators found five firearms as well as heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine, and paraphernalia consistent with drug sales.

Bryant pleaded guilty in February to one count of distribution of a controlled substance.

The case was investigated by the Florissant Police Department with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. 

Drug Enforcement Administration

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s St. Louis Division execute a search warrant in March of 2020. The house was suspected of hosting a fentanyl and heroin milling operation.

Drug Enforcement Administration

During a search of Markquis Bryant’s residence, Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized eight ounces of suspected fentanyl/heroin, one ounce of crack cocaine, one fully loaded AR-15 semi-automatic pistol, three 9mm pistols with extended 32-round magazines and one revolver.