Show-Me State Times

A high school baseball coach from Illinois has been indicted in federal court on charges related to drug trafficking. Demetrius Combs, 33, of Sauget, Illinois, faces several counts including distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute large quantities of both drugs, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that the offenses took place between June and August 2023.

Combs was arrested on September 25 and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to a motion filed by prosecutors seeking Combs’ detention until trial, an undercover officer from the St. Louis County Police Department purchased fentanyl from Combs once and methamphetamine twice. During a search of Combs’ home in Bellefontaine Neighbors authorized by the court, officers found $3,746 in cash and capsules containing fentanyl. A search of his car revealed a pistol, three cell phones, and more capsules with fentanyl. Inside his home police also discovered multiple firearms—including one modified for automatic fire—two cell phones, thousands more dollars in cash, a pill press used for making pills, additional amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia.

Authorities emphasized that “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.”

The investigation was conducted by the St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Christian Goeke is prosecuting the case.

This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide effort coordinated by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and addressing violent crime through collaboration among agencies such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.