A devastating fentanyl trafficking operation in the St. Louis area has been brought to an end with the sentencing of a mother-son duo.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White handed down a 10-year prison sentence to Frederick Mopkins, 32, who pleaded guilty in October to four felonies, including a fentanyl conspiracy charge, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and attempting to destroy evidence.
Last week, Judge White sentenced Vera Mopkins, 46, to 33 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to a fentanyl conspiracy charge.
The investigation, which began in February 2020, involved the FBI and the St. Louis County Police, who made a series of fentanyl purchases from Frederick Mopkins and others at an extended stay hotel in Hazelwood. A search of four hotel rooms on October 2, 2020, uncovered meth, pill presses, digital scales, and empty pill capsules, with some of the rooms registered in Vera Mopkins’ name.
A search of a St. Louis home associated with Frederick Mopkins turned up two pistols, fentanyl, $3,000 in cash, multiple cell phones used to arrange drug sales, and a 60-round drum magazine for a firearm.
At least one of the drug sales was coordinated by Vera Mopkins, while Frederick Mopkins coordinated others. Vera Mopkins also helped prepare and package fentanyl at least once. The drug sales continued at locations in St. Louis after the hotel search.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski prosecuted the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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