Three Missouri individuals are now facing federal charges after authorities allege they were involved in a plot to traffic fentanyl-laced pills. The case, made public after a recent court appearance, sheds light on Missouri’s ongoing battle against illegal fentanyl.
According to the Department of Justice, Kajuan M. Jackson, 40; Christopher D. Baird, 40; and Skyler B. Sledd, 26, were arrested after a criminal complaint was unsealed in U.S. District Court on May 28. Prosecutors claim the trio trafficked pills labeled “M30″—a tablet commonly linked with fentanyl—for over a year, distributing them to an undercover cop on multiple occasions between June 2024 and May 2025.
Sledd is currently under state felony supervision by Missouri Probation and Parole for possession of a controlled drug. Jackson faces additional charges in the complaint for allegedly possessing various firearms, including machine guns, during his drug dealing activities. As a convicted criminal, Jackson is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. His criminal record includes prior felony convictions for identity theft, narcotics charges, weapons violations, and vehicle tampering.
The legal processes are in their early stages. Prosecutors noted that the charges are only accusations at this time; a federal trial jury will eventually decide the fate of the Kansas City (State of Missouri) defendants based on the evidence.
If convicted, the punishment is harsh. For conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, federal law requires a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of forty years. The consequences for gun-related charges increase considerably. Possession of machine guns in conjunction with drug trafficking entails a statutory minimum term of 30 years in jail, with no possibility of parole.
In federal court, a presentence investigation determines the sentencing based on a variety of circumstances. If the defendants are found guilty, their sentences will be determined at a later hearing.
Megan A. Baker, Assistant US Attorney, and Jessica L. Jennings, Special Assistant US Attorney, are leading the prosecution. The investigation was a collaborative effort by numerous organizations, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Missouri Western Interdiction Drug Task Force; and the US Postal Service.
Authorities continue to warn about the dangers of counterfeit drugs, as well as the threats posed by fentanyl, which is still a significant source of overdose deaths across the country.