An Independence, Missouri, man was indicted by a federal grand jury for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and for illegally possessing firearms.
Demarkus Q. Shelton, 44, faces a 16-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri. This indictment replaces an earlier federal criminal complaint filed against Shelton on August 2, 2024, and includes additional charges.
The investigation began on February 22, 2024, following the discovery of a teenager who had died from an apparent overdose in Johnson County, Missouri. Evidence at the scene, including fentanyl and smoking paraphernalia, suggested the victim had used fentanyl before his death. An autopsy later confirmed that the cause of death was the toxic effects of fentanyl.
Investigators uncovered that the overdose victim was among several youths in Johnson County who allegedly purchased fentanyl from Shelton earlier on the day of the incident.
The affidavit filed with the original criminal complaint details several controlled purchases from Shelton, leading to the seizure of over 95 grams of powder, or “raw,” fentanyl. Given that as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, this quantity posed a significant danger. The affidavit also notes that Shelton was typically armed during these transactions, carrying a handgun with a drum magazine and/or an AK-47 or AR-style rifle. In one instance, Shelton allegedly sold a confidential informant a Palmetto State Armory AR model multi-caliber firearm with a 30-round magazine, in addition to 22.7 grams of powder fentanyl, for $2,300.
On August 5, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the hotel room where Shelton was arrested under the complaint. During the search, officers found a Taurus .40-caliber semi-automatic firearm and a Taurus .22-caliber semi-automatic handgun.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone with a felony conviction to possess any firearm or ammunition. Shelton, who is currently on state probation, has prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, burglary, and tampering with a motor vehicle.
The federal indictment charges Shelton with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, seven counts of distributing fentanyl, six counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh A. Ragner and investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
