St. Louis Man Sentenced to Prison for Large Scale Fentanyl Distribution Scheme
A 42-year-old man from St. Louis has been sentenced to 120 months in prison for his role in a large-scale fentanyl distribution scheme. Walter D. Justiniano was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
On April 27, 2017, investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department conducted surveillance on Justiniano and other suspects. They observed Justiniano, along with Kashita Webb and Gerald Hunter, traveling to a storage unit in Florissant, Missouri. When investigators attempted to stop the group, Hunter dropped two large bags and fled on foot, while Webb was detained at the vehicle. Justiniano attempted to flee the area but was later arrested.
Investigators discovered that the bags contained approximately 26.5 kilograms of fentanyl, divided into 27 heat-sealed packages. Fingerprints found on one of the packages matched those of Hunter and Justiniano.
“Every day across the state of Missouri and beyond, the men and women of the DEA are fighting to get dangerous drugs off our streets,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division. “Today’s sentencing is just another reminder that no matter where a trafficker lives or a shipment originates, we will find the drug trafficking organization, we will dismantle it and we will bring those responsible for bringing poison into our communities back to St. Louis to seek justice.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Erin Granger handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Walter D. Justiniano, 42, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for his role in the fentanyl distribution scheme. The exact date of the sentencing was not specified in the press release. The charges against Justiniano included conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
This case is a reminder of the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the flow of illicit drugs into our communities. The DEA and other agencies will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations and bring those responsible to justice.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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