Florissant Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Fatal Dose of Acetyl-Fentanyl

Jaleel Zakee Adams, 23, of Florissant, MO, entered a guilty plea to one count of Distribution of Acetyl-fentanyl Resulting in Death before Senior United States District Judge E. Richard Webber today.  He now faces a 20 year mandatory minimum federal prison sentence.

On November 15, 2017, Florissant Police responded to a medical call in the 900 block of Torero Lane.  They discovered the victim, R.I., unresponsive.  He was pronounced deceased on scene.  The Medical Examiner determined that R.I. died as a result of acute Acetyl-fentanyl intoxication.  Acetyl-fentanyl is a powerful and often deadly analogue of fentanyl developed strictly for the illicit market.  It has no legitimate medical use.

In the hours prior to his death, R.I. had been communicating with a man known as “Jay” by telephone.  R.I. met with “Jay” in a nearby parking lot where “Jay” sold R.I. a quantity of purported heroin.  Unbeknownst to R.I., the substance was actually Acetyl-fentanyl.  An investigation revealed that “Jay” was Jaleel Adams.  After police made two purchases of fentanyl from Jaleel Adams, they executed a search warrant at his home in the 100 block of Kendl Court on December 29, 2017.  Police located controlled substances, cash, and six firearms, one of which had been stolen during a vehicle theft the previous day.

Jaleel Adams was arrested on drug and weapons charges.  Adams denied that he used heroin himself, but admitted that he sold it to make money.

United States Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen commended the outstanding work of the Florissant Police Department, which investigated the case.  Jensen noted, “the Florissant Police Department has taken a leadership role locally and has aggressively investigated deaths resulting from heroin and fentanyl intoxication.  These substances are deadly.  Those who distribute them must be held accountable.”  Florissant Police Chief Timothy Lowery echoed Jensen’s sentiments, saying, “while we are sympathetic to those individuals who struggle with substance abuse, we have no tolerance for those who engage in drug distribution for profit.  These individuals present a danger to our community and we will continue to seek federal prosecution wherever possible.” 

Jaleel Zakee Adams is scheduled to appear for sentencing on July 17, 2019.