Frederick Mopkins, Fentanyl Conspiracy, Missouri 2024

ST. LOUIS, MO – A St. Louis area fentanyl operation run by a mother and son has landed both of them in federal prison. Frederick Mopkins, 32, received a 10-year sentence on Thursday after pleading guilty to a slew of felonies, while his mother, Vera Mopkins, 46, will serve 33 months, the Department of Justice confirmed.

The pair’s criminal enterprise, which began in 2020, caught the attention of the FBI and St. Louis County Police Department. Investigators made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Frederick Mopkins and his network at an extended stay hotel in Hazelwood. A massive raid on October 2, 2020, uncovered a full-fledged drug production setup across four hotel rooms. Authorities seized methamphetamine, industrial-grade pill presses, digital scales, and a mountain of empty pill capsules. Several of the rooms were registered under Vera Mopkins’ name, suggesting a key role in the operation’s logistics.

The investigation didn’t stop at the hotel. A simultaneous search of a St. Louis residence linked to Frederick Mopkins revealed a disturbing arsenal: two pistols, a substantial quantity of fentanyl, $3,000 in cash, multiple cell phones used to coordinate drug deals, and a terrifying 60-round drum magazine for a firearm. Mopkins, already a convicted felon, was also charged with illegal possession of the weapons. The evidence painted a clear picture of a sophisticated operation fueled by deadly narcotics and a willingness to arm themselves.

Federal prosecutors detailed how Vera Mopkins wasn’t merely a figurehead. She actively participated in the drug sales, coordinating at least one transaction, and even assisted in the preparation and packaging of fentanyl. Frederick Mopkins took the lead on coordinating the bulk of the sales. Despite the October raid, the pair continued their illicit activities, shifting their operations to various locations throughout St. Louis, attempting to evade law enforcement.

U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White delivered the sentences, sending a clear message that fentanyl trafficking won’t be tolerated in the Eastern District of Missouri. Frederick Mopkins pleaded guilty to one count of fentanyl conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and attempting to destroy evidence. Vera Mopkins pleaded guilty to the fentanyl conspiracy charge. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski.

The investigation was a joint effort by the St. Louis County Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The ATF’s involvement highlights the increasing connection between drug trafficking and firearms, a dangerous combination that continues to plague communities across the nation. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing fight against fentanyl in the St. Louis area.

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