A jury in East St. Louis, Illinois, has convicted Demarkee D. Jimerson, a resident of Cahokia Heights, on charges related to drug distribution and firearm possession. Jimerson, 45, faced charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm to further drug trafficking activities.
Commenting on the conviction, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft stated, "Armed drug dealers belong in federal prison. Demarkee Jimerson was a gun toting felon pedaling crack cocaine and methamphetamine, and he’s heading to federal prison, where he belongs. I appreciate the work of our attorneys who tried the case and the law enforcement professionals who investigated the case. Their work has made our community safer."
The case emerged after law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Jimerson’s residence in Cahokia Heights in July 2021. During the search, they discovered approximately 88 grams of cocaine base along with methamphetamine, MDMA, marijuana, nine firearms, and ammunition.
Michael Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's St. Louis Division, remarked, "Drug traffickers rely on weapons, including firearms, to feel empowered. They inflict fear in communities while pushing poisonous products that destroy lives and hurt families. Demarkee Jimerson now faces several years in prison to reflect on his actions and the pain he has caused so many people around him."
Previously convicted of felony drug distribution offenses, Jimerson was legally prohibited from possessing firearms. The charges he now faces carry significant penalties. The drug possession charge could result in up to 20 years in prison. The charges related to firearm possession could lead to additional prison time, including a mandatory five years in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Jimerson is scheduled for sentencing on August 27th at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis. The investigation was led by the DEA, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karelia Rajagopal and Tom Leggans prosecuting the case.