United States of America v. Franklin Bell

St. Louis, Missouri criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with onspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 40 grams of fentanyl, nacotics trafficking, firearms trafficking, and a shooting that targeted rival traffickers during which an innocent bystander was killed.

Bell pleaded guilty to five counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, see 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(l) and (b)(1)(C); two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, see 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A) and (c)(1)(A)(i); and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, see 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B)(vi), and 846. As part of the plea agreement, the Government agreed to dismiss one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death, see 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A) and (j)(1). The parties agreed to jointly recommend an aggregate sentence of 240 months’ imprisonment. The plea agreement also contained an appeal waiver in which Bell waived, inter alia, his right to appeal all non-jurisdictional and non-sentencing issues. He also waived his right to appeal sentencing issues if the district court sentenced him to a prison term at or below the joint recommendation of 240 months. The district court1 sentenced him to 240 months’ imprisonment, followed by 60 months’ supervised release, and monetary penalties totaling $9,890.16.





Affirmed