U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Antonio Dixson, a 37-year-old from St. Louis, to 14 years in prison on Tuesday for being caught twice with guns and drugs. During his February trial, evidence showed that Dixson was apprehended on December 1, 2020, in Wentzville, Missouri. He was found with two guns and various drugs while sitting in the back of a Honda SUV that had previously fled from police officers.
Upon exiting the vehicle, a Glock pistol fell from Dixson’s waist, and a Taurus Judge revolver was visibly protruding from his pocket. Authorities discovered ammunition and drugs on him, including clonazepam tablets laced with PCP, capsules containing para-fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, morphine, fentanyl tablets, cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine. He also had six cell phones and over $700 in cash. Due to COVID-era restrictions at the time, Dixson was released after being booked.
Dixson was arrested again on February 25, 2021, by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers when they observed him driving the wrong way on a one-way street in a Mercury Villager. Officers found additional firearms—a .45 caliber Colt model 1911 and a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol—and more drugs in his possession.
The sentencing memorandum highlighted that both the weapons and drugs posed significant danger to public safety. It noted that Dixson has been convicted multiple times over the past 19 years and has spent over 16 years either incarcerated or under court supervision.
In February, jurors found Dixson guilty of several charges: two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm; and one count of possessing a defaced firearm.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Wentzville Police Department, and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Dunkel and Hal Goldsmith.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aiming to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy focusing on fostering community trust and legitimacy while supporting organizations that work to prevent violence.
