KC Reporter

A man from Republic, Missouri, has been sentenced in federal court for fentanyl trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. Tonikko Fewell, aged 35, received a 16-year prison sentence without the possibility of parole. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool.

Fewell had previously pleaded guilty on April 22, 2024, to charges including two counts of possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The charges stem from incidents dating back to August 16, 2021, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Fewell's residence. During the operation, Fewell attempted to evade officers by speeding away at over 100 miles per hour after dropping off a passenger. Officers decided not to pursue him due to safety concerns.

The search at his home uncovered approximately 588 grams of fentanyl, $3,420 in cash, and several firearms including an Anderson .223-caliber semi-automatic rifle with a fully loaded magazine that had been reported stolen. Additional firearms were found in vehicles parked at the residence.

Another incident occurred on December 8, 2021. A Springfield police detective tried to stop an orange Cadillac driven by Fewell but did not engage in pursuit. Shortly afterward, the vehicle was involved in a three-car accident where authorities found 54 grams of fentanyl and $4,232 in cash inside the car. Fewell and his passengers were taken to the hospital following the crash.

Under federal law, individuals with felony convictions are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Fewell has a prior felony conviction for unlawful use of a weapon.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher prosecuted this case which was investigated by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Springfield Police Department; Greene County Sheriff’s Department; Republic Police Department; and Christian County Sheriff’s Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through community collaboration and strategic enforcement priorities established by the Department on May 26, 2021.