ST. LOUIS – A Ferguson man with a history of selling fentanyl and methamphetamine, including multiple sales to undercover officers, has been sentenced to federal prison.
A federal judge sentenced Theodise Reece, 37, to nearly eight years in prison (93 months) on Tuesday.
Reece pleaded guilty in November to three felony charges, including distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He has been in custody since on Aug. 30, 2023, on those charges.
In June 2023, police received several tips that Reece was selling illegal drugs. The St. Louis County Police Department set up a series of undercover purchases. According to his plea agreement, Reece sold $100 worth of fentanyl on June 14, then $150 worth of methamphetamine on June 20.
After making four more undercover purchases and witnessing Reece make another sale, investigators sought a search warrant for Reece’s home. They arrested him during an undercover buy on Aug. 30, 2023.
During the search warrant, police found a semiautomatic pistol in his car loaded with one chambered round and 18 more in an extended magazine. Inside a satchel slung across his chest, police found nearly 40 grams of fentanyl and 225 grams of meth as well as ecstasy, cocaine base and marijuana.
Eventually, Reece confessed to officers that he sold drugs for a living. Investigators also found an AR-style rifle in Reece’s home.
Investigators say this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together several law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence.