A 42-year-old St. Louis man has been hit with federal charges for running a lucrative methamphetamine trafficking operation in Missouri, authorities announced today.
Darrell Niswonger, a 42-year-old resident of St. Louis, is accused of leading a large-scale meth distribution ring that brought in over $1.3 million in illicit profits, according to court documents.
The case against Niswonger, who is being held without bail, centers on allegations that he conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, a serious federal crime punishable by up to life in prison.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri charged Niswonger with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Niswonger’s alleged operation, which spanned multiple states, is believed to have supplied meth to dealers in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas, according to court records.
The investigation into Niswonger’s operation was led by the DEA’s St. Louis Division, with assistance from local law enforcement agencies.
Defendants in similar cases have faced significant prison time. In 2019, a Missouri man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine, while another was sentenced to 25 years for operating a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring.
Niswonger’s case is set to go to trial in the coming months, with a court date scheduled for May 2024. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million.
RELATED: Darrell Niswonger’s $1.3M Methamphetamine Empire Brought Down
Related Federal Cases
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
- 23andMe Faces Lawsuit for Selling Genetic Data · Washington
- Semere Tsehaye Convicted of Tax Evasion on $1.5M Hidden Income · Illinois
- Semere Tsehaye Sentenced for $1.03 Million Tax Fraud · Illinois
- Methadone Doc Diluted Drugs, Lied to Feds · Illinois
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Federal Court
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
