Description: St. Louis, Missouri criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl with a resulting death, distribution of fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

William Edward Martin, 23, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl with a resulting death, distribution of fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Martin now faces at least 20 years and up to life in prison for the fatal distribution charge alone when he is sentenced January 26.

Martin admitted that on June 23, 2022, he met the victim in the parking lot of a Walgreens in Arnold, Missouri. She got into the car he was driving, a black BMW, and a short time after he provided her with fentanyl, he took the victim out of his car and placed her in the backseat of her own vehicle. The incident was captured on video, and the victim appeared incapacitated and in medical distress.

She was found dead early the next morning by her father, who had been searching for her after she failed to come home.

Martin would later admit in a text message that, “I could’ve called 911 or could brought her to the hospital… there’s so many things I could’ve done to save her and now she’s dead.”

During the investigation of her death, Arnold police spotted the BMW, which sped off. Police later caught the BMW, and the driver, Tanisha Payne, said she’d dropped Martin off at a gas station. Officers found a safe inside the car that contained fentanyl, hallucinogens, prescription drugs and drug paraphernalia. They caught Martin behind a supermarket with a loaded pistol.

Steven “Lemon” Littler, 34, and Jacqueline Williamson, 34, admitted supplying fentanyl to Martin and Payne. Littler had been selling the drug to Martin for several months, Martin’s plea says. Littler also warned Martin of the potency of his fentanyl, calling it “deadly strong” and “dangerous,” the plea says.

In his plea agreement, Martin admitted selling fentanyl to others.

When Williamson was arrested at her home in St. Louis, investigators found both fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as paraphernalia for packaging the drugs for sale. Payne, now 23, also had fentanyl and drug paraphernalia when she was arrested.

Littler was sentenced to 210 months in prison earlier this year. Williamson, who pleaded guilty to a fentanyl distribution charge, and Payne, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, have not yet been sentenced.

The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Arnold Police Department, The U.S. Marshals Service and the St. Louis County Police Department.

Knowingly and intentionally distribute fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance
(1r)
CONSPIRACY TO KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY DISTRIBUTE AND POSSESS WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE A MIXTURE OR SUBSTANCE CONTAINING A DETECTABLE AMOUNT OF FENTANYL, A SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(1rs)
KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY DISTRIBUTE F FENTANYL, A SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND THAT THE DEATH OF K.H RESULTED
(2rs)
KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY POSSESS WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE FENTANYL, A SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(3rs)
KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY POSSESS ONE OR MORE FIREARMS WHICH PREVIOUSLY TRAVELED IN INTERSTATE OR FOREIGN COMMERCE
(4rs)
KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY USE, CARRY AND POSSESS A FIREARM IN FURTHERANCE OF A DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME
(5rs)

Outcome: 10/27/2023 161 ELECTRONIC MINUTE ENTRY (no pdf attached) for proceedings held before Sr. District Judge Catherine D. Perry: Change of Plea hearing as to William Edward Martin held on 10/27/2023. Defendant sworn. Age of Defendant: 23; Level of Education: High school Diploma. The Court finds the defendant competent to enter a plea of guilty. By leave of Court, defendant withdraws former plea of not guilty and enters a Plea(s) of Guilty as to Count(s) 1, 2, 3, and 4. Counts held in abeyance until sentencing: 5. The Court accepts the guilty plea. The guilty plea agreement is also accepted. Guilty Plea Agreement filed.. Objections to Presentence Report due by 1/12/2024. Sentencing set for 1/26/2024 02:00 PM before Sr. District Judge Catherine D. Perry. (Court Reporter:Shannon White, Shannon_White@moed.uscourts.gov, 314-244-7966) (proceedings started: 3:08) (proceedings ended: 3:48)(Deputy Clerk: K. Zenon) (Defendant Location: Custody)(Appearance for Government: Lisa Yemm)(Appearance for Defendant: Mohammed Ahmed) (KRZ) (Entered: 10/27/2023)
10/27/2023 162 GUILTY PLEA AGREEMENT by USA as to William Edward Martin. (KRZ) (Entered: 10/27/2023)
10/27/2023 163 GUILTY PLEA AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT as to William Edward Martin. (KRZ) (Entered: 10/27/2023)

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