Jury convicts Cahokia Heights man of drug distribution, gun charges

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A southern Illinois jury convicted a Cahokia Heights man of possessing cocaine base with intent to distribute and a firearm to further the drug operation.

The jury found Demarkee D. Jimerson, 45, guilty of one count of one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

“Armed drug dealers belong in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Demarkee Jimerson was a gun toting felon pedaling crack cocaine and methamphetamine, and he’s heading to federal prison, where he belongs. I appreciate the work of our attorneys who tried the case and the law enforcement professionals who investigated the case. Their work has made our community safer.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, law enforcement agents executed a warrant to search Jimerson’s house in Cahokia Heights in July 2021. Agents recovered approximately 88 grams of cocaine base, meth, MDMA, marijuana, nine firearms and ammunition.

“Drug traffickers rely on weapons, including firearms, to feel empowered,” Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “They inflict fear in communities while pushing poisonous products that destroy lives and hurt families. Demarkee Jimerson now faces several years in prison to reflect on his actions and the pain he has caused so many people around him.”

Jimerson had previously been convicted of felony drug distribution offenses and therefore unable to legally possess firearms.

The drug possession charge is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment. Felon in possession of a firearm convictions can earn up to 10 years’ imprisonment and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is a mandatory five years in federal prison. Jimerson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis.

DEA led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karelia Rajagopal and Tom Leggans are prosecuting the case.