A man involved in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl in the St. Louis area has been sentenced in federal court.
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Neil Phifer, 40, to 19 years in federal prison on Monday for his role in the operation. Phifer was among 13 defendants charged in 2023 in connection with the conspiracy. All defendants have pleaded guilty, and Phifer was the final member of the group to be sentenced.
Phifer entered a guilty plea on Aug. 5, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. As part of the plea, he admitted obtaining multiple kilograms of methamphetamine and fentanyl from a supplier based in California and distributing the drugs throughout the St. Louis region through a network of associates…