Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Fatal University City Drug Deal

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Wednesday sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for his role in a fatal shooting sparked because he believed a man purchased marijuana with counterfeit money.

Nathaniel Anthony Brown-Shatto, 22, was one of three people involved in a conspiracy to sell marijuana and had told the others that the victim had previously purchased marijuana from him using counterfeit currency. On Feb. 19, 2022, the three were together in a vehicle, armed and selling marijuana. When the victim contacted Brown-Shatto to buy more marijuana, the three drove to his home in the 7800 block of Birchmont Drive. Carlos Albert Castellanos Jr. was driving, Brown-Shatto was in the passenger seat and the third man was in the rear of the vehicle.

When the victim stepped out of his home, Brown-Shatto shot him with a handgun while the third man began shooting him through the vehicle’s sunroof with an AK-style rifle, Brown-Shatto and Castellanos’ plea agreements say. Investigators found a total of 22 spent cartridge casings from both weapons.

Three days after the shooting, University City police stopped Castellanos and Brown-Shatto in a vehicle that matched the description of the one used by the shooters. They were both armed with handguns and had about one pound of marijuana in a backpack in the car.

Brown-Shatto pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly discharging a firearm in furtherance of the commission of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death. Castellanos, 22, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and awaits sentencing.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service mission is to protect the nation’s mail system.  With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate those utilizing the U.S. Mail for illicit activities, including distribution of narcotics.  Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims, including the victim in this case who tragically lost his life.”  Today’s sentencing reflects the diligent investigative work by Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners,” said Inspector in Charge, Ruth Mendonça, who leads the Chicago Division, which includes the St. Louis Field Office.

Emanuel Benito Vasquez, 22, has not yet been arrested. He is facing a marijuana conspiracy charge as well as charges of discharging a firearm in furtherance of the commission of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Charges are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the University City Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.