St Louis - Dayon J. Fips, 37, of Florissant, Missouri, pleaded guilty to multiple criminal counts before United States District Judge John A. Ross today. His sentencing has been set for Jan. 10, 2020.
According to court documents, on July 31, 2018, Fips distributed fentanyl to victim N.B. who ingested that fentanyl and died as a result. The investigation into N.B.’s death determined that, on the date of his death, N.B. contacted Fips multiple times via mobile phone. Shortly before N.B.’s death, Fips picked up N.B. at his residence, drove N.B. to a bank and then returned N.B. to his residence. Ninety minutes later, N.B.’s father called 911 after finding his son unresponsive in the family’s basement. N.B. died of acute fentanyl intoxication.
Following N.B.’s death, Fips distributed fentanyl on multiple occasions to a confidential informant. In connection with those sales, Florissant Police executed a search warrant at Fips’ residence in the 8800 block of Harold in Berkeley, Missouri, in August 2018. Officers recovered heroin, fentanyl, multiple firearms, and body armor. Fips was on parole to the Missouri Department of Corrections for Robbery in the First Degree at the time of N.B.’s death and when the warrant was executed. During an interview with police, Fips admitted that he knew N.B. and had sold N.B. drugs on multiple occasions.
After Fips was arrested, incarcerated and awaiting trial, Fips attempted to tamper with one or more witnesses connected to the investigation. Fips’ efforts were detected and prevented by jail staff. In court today, Fips admitted that he attempted to induce others to give false testimony.
Following today’s guilty plea, Florissant Police Department Chief Timothy Fagan stated, “Mr. Fips’ conduct resulted in the loss of one life and presented a danger to countless others. Even incarceration did not deter Mr. Fips’ conduct, and we are grateful to the jail staff for their diligent efforts, which thwarted an attempt to tamper with a witness. His continued criminal conduct while on parole must be met with serious consequences."
Fips pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of ownership of body armor by violent felons, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance drug and one count of influencing testimony of any person in an official proceeding.
Felon in possession charges carries a penalty of not more than 10 years and a fine of $250,000; ownership of body armor carries a penalty of not more than three years and a fine of $250,000; possession with intent to distribute carries a penalty of not more than life and a fine not more than $1,000,000; and influencing testimony carries a penalty of not more than life and a fine of $250,000.
The Florissant Police Department is handling the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
