KC Reporter

A Columbia, Missouri man has admitted to charges of fentanyl trafficking and illegal firearm possession in a federal court. Keaveon Zaniyah T. Harris, 25, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., acknowledging his involvement in distributing thousands of fentanyl pills and possessing firearms unlawfully.

Harris was apprehended on May 10, 2023, when Columbia police officers discovered hundreds of fentanyl pills and several firearms during a vehicle search. The search revealed a bag containing 832 fake Percocet pills made of fentanyl and additional broken pills near the middle console. Officers also found more pills in a bottle by the shifter and crushed pills in a cigarette package.

Further investigation uncovered loaded firearms within the vehicle: a Taurus revolver and Springfield 9mm handgun with a drum magazine on the passenger side rear floorboard, along with a Zastava Drako pistol on the driver’s side rear floorboard.

Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Harris has a prior felony conviction for theft.

Authorities examined Harris's phone, uncovering evidence that he sold thousands of fentanyl pills to various customers. Messages indicated that his partner traveled to Arizona multiple times to acquire fake Percocet pills which were then mailed to him in Columbia. Three packages sent weighed approximately 4.8 kilograms combined.

Harris faces significant legal consequences under federal statutes, including a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 35 years in federal prison without parole. The final sentencing will be determined based on advisory guidelines after an investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Pierce is prosecuting this case following investigations by the Columbia Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities since its enhancement on May 26, 2021.