St. Louis - Jaleel Zakee Adams, 23, of Florissant, MO was sentenced today to a term of 20 years in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge E. Richard Webber. At the time of his guilty plea in April 2019, Adams admitted that on Nov. 15, 2017, he knowingly sold acetyl-fentanyl to R.I. of Florissant. After meeting with Adams and purchasing acetyl-fentanyl, R.I. returned home and was later found unresponsive. The Medical Examiner determined that R.I. died as a result of acute acetyl-fentanyl intoxication. Acetyl-fentanyl is a powerful and often deadly analogue of fentanyl developed strictly for the illicit market. It has no legitimate medical use.
Shortly after R.I.’s death, the Florissant Police Department made controlled purchases of fentanyl from Adams, and later executed a search warrant at his family’s residence in the 100 block of Kendl Court. During the search, police located drugs and multiple firearms. Adams admitted that he sold heroin and fentanyl to make money. Firearm charges against Adams were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.
United States Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen praised the Florissant Police Department, which investigated the case. Jensen noted, “[t]his case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of opioids, and particularly fentanyl. Fentanyl and its analogues are dangerous and their use all too frequently results in deaths. When such tragedies occur, the individuals responsible will be held accountable."
Florissant Police Chief Timothy Fagan reiterated his commitment to the aggressive investigation of overdose deaths. “Individuals who engage in the sales of opioids prey upon their neighbors suffering from substance use disorders. We will continue to use every resource available in an effort to stem the tide of opioids in this community, and we will continue to seek justice for the victims of illegal drug trafficking."
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
