Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Two Local men Charged in Federal Indictment Involving a Drug-Related Homicide
St. Louis, MO – Jessie Hampton, 24; and Malcom Johnson, 25, both of St. Louis City, were charged with multiple drug and weapons charges related to the July 15, 2012, murder of Scipio Vaughn, of Centralia, Illinois.
According to the indictment, during 2012, Hampton and Johnson were engaged in drug trafficking. In the early morning hours of July 15, 2012, Hampton and Johnson robbed Scipio Vaughn, and during the course of the robbery, Vaughn was shot and murdered.
Each defendant was indicted on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine; two felony counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, resulting in murder; and conspiracy to obstruct commerce by robbery. Jessie Hampton also was indicted on one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
If convicted, the defendants face possible sentences of life imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Cristian M. Stevens is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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