Show-Me State Times

A St. Louis man was sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prison after a judge found him responsible for supplying fentanyl that led to a fatal overdose while in detention.

Alantae Garner, 31, pleaded guilty in June to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court records, on November 17, 2023, officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department saw Garner driving a stolen 2019 Kia Rio. When approached by police, Garner attempted to flee but was detained. Officers found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun in his bag. Garner admitted owning the gun and said he purchased the car for $500.

Garner was arrested on federal charges on July 25, 2024. During his sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp, evidence showed that while awaiting his initial court appearance, Garner supplied fentanyl to another detainee who overdosed in a holding cell. Despite efforts by Deputy U.S. Marshals to revive the victim, the individual later died at a hospital.

The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Christian Goeke.

"This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone," according to officials involved with PSN. "On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results."