Judges Sentences Member Of Four Corners Gang For Possession With Intent To Distribute Fentanyl

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri:

April 27, 2021

ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Jacquez Staples to 15 months in prison today. The 26-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

ln 2019, an investigative team that included agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Louis County Police Department's Intelligence/Gang Unit began an investigation of individuals who belonged to the "Four Corners Gang." Members of this gang were known to law enforcement as street-level distributors of firearms and narcotics, primarily in Dellwood. Investigators identified Staples and his co-defendant as members of the gang.

On August 15, 2019, the investigative team utilized a confidential informant and an undercover ATF agent to arrange the purchase of narcotics from Staples and his co-defendant. Under the direction and surveillance of investigators, the confidential informant and the undercover agent purchased from Staples and his co-defendant 73 capsules and a baggie which contained an off-white powder for $800.The crime lab determined the powder contained fentanyl. Staples was the driver of the vehicle when the controlled purchase occurred.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.

This press release was produced by the US Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri. The views expressed here are the author’s own.