JUDGE SENTENCES ST. LOUIS MAN FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE FENTANYL

St. Louis, MO – United States District Judge E. Richard Webber has sentenced Nicholas Simmons, 37, of St. Louis, MO, to 46 months and three years of supervised release for distribution of fentanyl.  Simmons pleaded guilty in June.

FBI Special Agents received information during December of 2018, Simmons was selling capsules of fentanyl in the St. Louis area. Beginning on January 17, 2019 and continuing to April 25, 2019, the FBI made nine undercover purchases of fentanyl from Simmons, purchasing 16 – 20 capsules of fentanyl each time. On May 13, 2019, FBI Special Agents conducted surveillance of Simmons, and observed him make what appeared to be a sale of illegal drugs to another individual. As the Agents approached Simmons’s vehicle, Simmons attempted to flee the area. Simmons crashed his vehicle, at which time the Agents were able to apprehend him. The Agents located a loaded .45 caliber pistol in Simmons’ waistband, as well as 19 capsules of fentanyl in his pants pocket, and an additional 152 capsules of fentanyl in a black plastic bag in his possession.  FBI Special Agents obtained a search warrant for two chases residences associated with Simmons. At one residence the Agents recovered drug paraphernalia and several firearms. At the second residence, the Agents recovered three additional firearms, approximately two kilograms of marijuana, 46 grams of cocaine, and 12 grams of crack cocaine. Agents also recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition and drug paraphernalia during the investigation.                   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Sara Koppenaal handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.