Jackson Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Fentanyl

CAPE GIRARDEAU - U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a man who sold fentanyl to a federal informant to 12 years in prison.

Rodney G. Harris, 45, of Jackson, Missouri, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and admitted that he sold fentanyl to an individual in Cape Girardeau County twice in 2022. Unbeknownst to Harris at the time, the individual purchasing the fentanyl was working as an informant for law enforcement officials. According to court documents, Harris has multiple felony convictions, including several convictions for methamphetamine-trafficking offenses. At the time he sold the fentanyl, Harris was on parole supervision through the State of Missouri stemming from a 2013 conviction for distributing methamphetamine. After serving the 12-year sentence, Harris will be placed on a 3-year term of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office, the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration . Assistant United States Attorney Jack Koester handled the prosecution for the Government.