A 22-year-old St. Louis resident, Mario Mitchell, admitted to charges of drug possession and having a fully automatic weapon following a police pursuit, according to a U.S. District Court hearing in St. Louis. Mitchell pled guilty to intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base.
The arrest stemmed from an October 16, 2023 incident, when the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department observed Mitchell's vehicle, a silver Nissan Sentra, fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and East Lee Avenue. During pursuit, Mitchell attempted to flee but was apprehended after officers deployed spike strips. He discarded a Glock 10mm pistol with an extended magazine while running from the scene. Upon arrest, officers found Mitchell with 40 capsules of fentanyl and cocaine base.
The firearm was modified with a conversion device, classifying it as a machine gun under federal law. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Sentencing is set for July 10.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Lake, with investigative efforts from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, aiming to reduce violent crime and enhance community safety by coordinating efforts across law enforcement and community groups. The Department of Justice bolstered this program with strategies focusing on trust-building, community support, targeting enforcement, and evaluating outcomes.