ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis man is facing federal charges in connection with a shootout at a convenience store earlier this year.
Kennis Body, 25, was indicted on two drug charges and a gun charge in federal court Wednesday.
A press release from U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri Sayler Fleming said the charges stem from what Body had on him when he was arrested in connection with a convenience store shooting.
According to a motion seeking to keep him in jail until a trial, police said he shot an AR-15-style gun into a store on Jan. 9.
When officers found him and took him into custody, they found a loaded AR-style gun and more than 600 capsules of suspected fentanyl. He was on probation at the time of the arrest.
In all, Body was indicted on one count of drug conspiracy, one count of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
If convicted, the drug charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and the firearm charge is punishable by up to five years in prison.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.
5 On Your Side news app
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to "stabilize inner-city neighborhoods." One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program.
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with St. Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.
