FARMINGTON, Mo. — A man was sentenced to prison after his plan to smuggle drugs into a detention facility backfired and led to the death of his cellmate.
U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced 35-year-old Timothy Noll to 22 years in prison after he tried to arrange drug distribution inside the St. Francois County Jail in Farmington, Missouri.
On July 27, 2021, Noll arrived at the St. Francois County Jail. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, he searched for a suitable candidate to help smuggle drugs that he could sell inside the jail.
Noll instructed a mediator to get the drugs to 37-year-old Garry Triplett and conceal them inside a bible.
Days later, the mediator arranged for the bible to be dropped off at the jail, but Noll was suddenly transferred to state prison, and he was unable to bring the bible, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
The press release said that Noll requested the jail staff to give his bible to his cellmate.
His cellmate died two days later. According to the press release, the cause of death was mixed drug intoxication, including fentanyl.
Noll pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of distribution of controlled substances resulting in death.
Triplett pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of distribution of a controlled substance, the press release added.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case.
Triplett's sentencing is scheduled to take place in December.
