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Press Release

Former St. Louis City Police Officer Indicted On Weapons Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis, MO – An indictment was unsealed earlier today charging former St. Louis City Police Officer DON McGHEE with providing a firearm to known drug dealers to facilitate their distribution of crack cocaine and marijuana in the City of St. Louis.

According to the indictment, McGhee was a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer, assigned as a Patrolman in the Sixth District. The indictment alleges that Officer McGhee knew and associated with individuals who stored and distributed quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana in and from a house located in the City of St. Louis. On March 2, 2014, Officer McGhee took a Mossberg 12 gauge pistol grip shotgun to the Cottage Avenue drug house and gave it to one of the drug dealers knowing, believing or having reason to believe that the drug dealer would use the shotgun in relation to and in furtherance of the drug trafficking. During the execution of a search warrant at the Cottage Avenue house several days later, law enforcement officers recovered the Mossberg pistol grip shotgun, fully loaded, along with several other firearms, ammunition, quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana and a large amount of cash.

McGhee, St. Louis City, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to possess a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Officer McGhee surrendered to authorities this morning. He appeared for arraignment at 2:30 today before United States Magistrate Judge Nanette Baker.

If convicted, this charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

United States Attorney Richard Callahan noted that this investigation originated with the St. Louis City Police Department, which then partnered with additional law enforcement agencies as its investigation expanded.  In addition to the St. Louis City Police Department, the case is also being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.      

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.           
Updated March 19, 2015