Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ST. LOUIS — U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp sentenced a man convicted of charges related to fentanyl dealing and a fatal shooting in University City to life in prison plus 15 years. 

A jury in September found Deoman Reeves, 32, of East St. Louis, guilty of 11 felony charges: one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 40 grams of fentanyl, four counts of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, three counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, resulting in death.

The death resulting charge stems from the Oct. 21, 2019, fatal shooting of David Anderson in the 1100 block of Kingsland Avenue. Evidence and testimony presented at trial showed that Reeves and others fired multiple shots at Anderson in retaliation for a shooting in St. Louis County the day before. Anderson was not involved in the St. Louis County shooting.

“This is a dangerous individual who has a callous disregard for human life,” said Special Agent in Charge Bernard G. Hansen 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 and we will use all available resources to identify and investigate those who commit violent acts. This sentence should send a message to others that violent behavior in our communities will not be tolerated.”

Judge Schelp sentenced Reeves’ co-defendant, Franklin Bell, now 32, on February 12 to 20 years in prison. Bell pleaded guilty on the eve of his trial in September to a fentanyl distribution conspiracy charge, five counts of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and two counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Bell admitted in his plea that he, Reeves and Arrion Jones were involved in selling fentanyl in the St. Louis area. After a September 2019 non-fatal shooting, the University City Police Department requested the assistance of the ATF. An ATF confidential informant and undercover agents began buying fentanyl from Reeves and others, who were armed while selling the fentanyl. Reeves also sold firearms to a confidential informant. 

Judge Matthew T. Schelp sentenced Deronte McDaniels, now 26, in October to 150 months in prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and admitted being the target of a shooting on Oct. 20, 2019, that wounded Jones. McDaniels took Jones’ firearm and returned fire and was one of the men who shot at Anderson the next day, his plea says.  

Jones is serving a 40-month sentence.

The ATF and the University City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul D’Agrosa and Erin Granger are prosecuting the case.

Contact
Robert Patrick, Public Affairs Officer, robert.patrick@usdoj.gov.

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