Show-Me State Times

A St. Louis man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple drug and firearm offenses, including shooting at an undercover police officer during a drug investigation.

Anthony Stallworth, 26, received a sentence of 15 years and five months from U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on Wednesday. According to court documents, Stallworth sold fentanyl capsules to an undercover officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department on October 10, 2019. Five days later, when the officer attempted another purchase, Stallworth directed him to follow his vehicle before stopping abruptly and firing two shots toward the officer’s car before fleeing.

In the summer of 2023, law enforcement observed Stallworth conducting drug transactions in St. Louis. A subsequent search of an apartment led to the discovery of large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, cash, a pistol, and drug paraphernalia.

“Stallworth armed himself with firearms and even opened fire on undercover officers, showing a blatant disregard for human life,” said Special Agent in Charge Bernard “Butch” Hansen of the Kansas City Field Division. “Combined with the large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine he was trafficking, his actions put our entire community at risk. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for the violence he chose and for flooding our streets with deadly drugs and guns. ATF will continue working with our partners to protect families and neighborhoods from offenders who endanger public safety.”

Stallworth pleaded guilty in June to charges including possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The firearm charge carried a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years consecutive to other charges; methamphetamine possession carried a minimum five-year term.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski prosecuted.

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which coordinates efforts between law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime by focusing on trust-building measures, supporting local organizations that work on violence prevention strategies, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and evaluating results.