They distributed nearly 38 kilograms of fentanyl in southwest Missouri, and the drug’s use resulted in several overdose deaths.
Three Springfield men were sentenced in federal court Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute the addictive and deadly opioid.
Darryl Turner, also known as “D,” 59, Elmer E. Freeman, also known as “Duck,” 56, and Robert D. Huddleston, 49, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips. Turner was sentenced to 23 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Freeman was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison without parole. Huddleston was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole.
Turner and Freeman each pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Greene County from Jan. 31, 2019, to May 18, 2020. Huddleston pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl.
Co-defendant James D. Collins, also known as “Red,” 49, of Battlefield, was the leader of the drug-trafficking conspiracy, according to federal charging documents. Collins transported at least 300 grams of fentanyl by vehicle from either St. Louis or Chicago to Springfield twice a week. Collins then distributed fentanyl to co-conspirators, including Turner, who is described in court documents as Collins’s right-hand man. Turner distributed fentanyl to Freeman, who then distributed fentanyl to others.
In court Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron A. Beaver said this conspiracy pumped “a significant amount of poison into Springfield and the surrounding area.”
“The sheer volume of fentanyl serves as an aggravator,” Beaver said, arguing for a tougher sentence for Freeman. “Fentanyl has had an absolutely devastating impact” on this community.
During the time of the conspiracy, according to court documents, Turner was participating in the Greene County drug court program. One phone call investigators intercepted revealed Turner conducting fentanyl business with Collins while Turner was simultaneously on a computer completing tasks associated with the drug court program.
Jailhouse bragging about overdose deaths
According to court documents, Collins is responsible for the distribution of 37.8 kilograms of fentanyl. Multiple overdose deaths occurred related to Collins’ distribution of fentanyl. After he was incarcerated in the Greene County Jail, Collins allegedly bragged to his cellmate about overdoses caused by the drugs he was distributing. Court documents cite three individuals, who are not identified by name, who overdosed and died.
In March 2020, Freeman sold fentanyl (supplied by Turner) to Randi Highfill, who in turn, used the fentanyl to put a man in Clever to sleep and rob him. He is identified in court documents as “J.G.” J.G. died from a fentanyl overdose, and Highfill pleaded guilty in state court to involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a controlled substance in connection with his death.
Highfill is serving a 12-year prison sentence in the Chillicothe Correctional Center, according to Missouri Department of Corrections inmate records.
On Oct. 22, 2019, another individual identified in court documents as “J.W.” overdosed and died.
Collins was sentenced on June 21, 2023, to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Ten defendants in this case have been sentenced and two defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing in federal court.
Tranq found in drug blends
According to court documents, Collins led a group that was distributing significant amounts of fentanyl laced with an assortment of other dangerous drugs, including xylazine. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency recently issued a public safety alert about the newly widespread threat of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use.
Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects. As a result, xylazine and fentanyl drug mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning. Moreover, people who inject drug mixtures containing xylazine also can develop severe wounds, including necrosis — the rotting of human tissue — that may lead to amputation.
Lab results indicate drugs seized from Collins’s residence contained fentanyl, tramadol, cocaine, and xylazine. A batch of drugs seized from one of his co-conspirators contained fentanyl, tramadol, and xylazine.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica R. Eatmon and Cameron A. Beaver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield Police Department, the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department.
