KC Reporter

A St. Louis man has been sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Melvin Navarro Morgan, 31, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Steven R. Bough, which will be followed by five years of supervised release.

Morgan was found guilty on December 19, 2024, after a bench trial held on October 28, 2024. The charges included possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and being a felon in possession of firearms.

The Springfield Police Department (SPD) encountered Morgan on January 5, 2023. During the encounter, he fled and discarded two baggies containing fentanyl. Upon his capture, officers found methamphetamine, cocaine, and over $2,000 in cash on him.

On April 17, 2023, SPD executed a search warrant at Morgan's residence where they seized significant quantities of drugs including fentanyl and methamphetamine along with six firearms. Among the weapons was an AR-pistol without serial numbers or markings known as a "ghost gun." They also seized more than $8,200 in cash. An FBI Special Agent testified that the drugs' approximate value was $43,662.

Morgan again fled from officers during an attempted traffic stop by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) on October 9, 2023. Upon apprehension by SLMPD officers he possessed heroin-fentanyl pills and various other drugs.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Lucas with investigations conducted by several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and SPD.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime through collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and communities to enhance safety nationwide.