Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A St. Louis, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court yesterday for illegally possessing firearms, and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.
Melvin Navarro Morgan, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven R. Bough to 210 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
On Dec. 19, 2024, following a one-day bench trial on Oct. 28, 2024, Morgan was found guilty of one count each of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms.
When Springfield, Mo., Police Department (SPD) officers contacted Morgan on Jan. 5, 2023, he fled on foot. During the foot chase, Morgan threw two baggies containing a total of 24.35 grams of fentanyl. When officers searched Morgan, they found methamphetamine, cocaine, and over $2,000 in cash.
On April 17, 2023, officers with SPD executed a search warrant at Morgan’s residence. Officers seized approximately 117.35 grams of fentanyl, 50.75 grams of cocaine, and 416.87 grams of methamphetamine. During the search, officers found six guns, including an AR-pistol with no serial number or markings (also known as a “ghost gun”), and a pistol with an extended magazine. Officers also seized over $8,200 in cash. At trial, an FBI Special Agent testified that the approximate value of the seized drugs was $43,662.
Morgan fled from officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), when they attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Oct. 9, 2023. When SLMPD apprehended Morgan, he was in possession of 98 pills containing heroin and fentanyl; powders containing cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and tramadol; and off-white chunks containing cocaine base.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Lucas. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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. 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.