ST. LOUIS, MO – Deoman Reeves, 32, of East St. Louis, will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a federal jury convicted him of charges stemming from a large-scale fentanyl operation and the retaliatory murder of David Anderson in University City. U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp handed down a life sentence plus 15 years on Friday, marking a significant victory for federal investigators and a chilling reminder of the deadly consequences of the drug trade.
The jury found Reeves guilty on eleven felony counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 40 grams of fentanyl, four counts of possession with intent to distribute, three counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and the most damning: possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking resulting in death. The ‘resulting in death’ charge directly links Reeves to the October 21, 2019, shooting of David Anderson on Kingsland Avenue.
Evidence presented at trial painted a grim picture of a calculated act of vengeance. Reeves and accomplices allegedly opened fire on Anderson, a completely innocent bystander, in retaliation for a shooting that occurred in St. Louis County the previous day. The senseless violence underscores the escalating dangers associated with drug-related conflicts. “This is a dangerous individual who has a callous disregard for human life,” stated Bernard G. Hansen, Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “There is no higher priority for ATF than keeping our communities safe.”
Reeves wasn’t working alone. His co-defendant, Franklin Bell, 32, received a 20-year sentence on February 12 after pleading guilty to fentanyl distribution conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute, and firearms charges. Bell admitted to involvement in the fentanyl operation alongside Reeves and Arrion Jones. The trio allegedly peddled fentanyl throughout the St. Louis area, often while armed. An ATF confidential informant and undercover agents were able to purchase fentanyl and firearms directly from Reeves during the investigation.
The web of criminal activity continued to unravel with the sentencing of Deronte McDaniels, 26, to 150 months in prison in October. McDaniels pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, admitting his role in a shooting that wounded Jones. He then participated in the ambush that claimed Anderson’s life. Jones himself is currently serving a 40-month sentence. This case reveals a pattern of escalating violence fueled by the illicit drug trade and a blatant disregard for the safety of the public.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the ATF and the University City Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul D’Agrosa and Erin Granger leading the prosecution. The hefty sentences handed down in this case serve as a stark warning: those who deal in deadly drugs and resort to violence will face the full force of federal law. The ATF’s Hansen emphasized, “This sentence should send a message to others that violent behavior in our communities will not be tolerated.”
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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