Jefferson County Man Admits Selling Fatal Fentanyl Capsules

ST. LOUIS - A man from Jefferson County, Missouri on Monday admitted suppling the drugs that killed another man in 2024.

Daryn Joshua Odell Karnes, 21, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of distribution of fentanyl. He admitted driving to a home in Jefferson County on Jan. 5, 2024, and selling $100 worth of capsules containing fentanyl, heroin and xylazine to a couple, including a woman who had previously purchased fentanyl from him. The couple did not have enough money for the drugs and wrapped a $1 bill around paper to make it appear as if it was a wad of currency. The male later overdosed and died of fentanyl, heroin and xylazine intoxication. Under the plea agreement, Karnes agreed that the male would not have died but for the fentanyl. First responders found seven remaining capsules.

The transaction was arranged via Karnes' "Luh Daryn" account on Facebook, and he later demanded full payment from the male victim. He also told a third party that the victim and his girlfriend would get "hurt" for not paying for the drugs.

Karnes is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17. The charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohsen Pasha is prosecuting the case.