A Bay St. Louis woman was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 pills containing fentanyl.

Emma Kate Stoute, 19, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.

According to court documents, on August 29, 2023, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration followed up on a written complaint alleging drug trafficking at the Motel 6 in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  Agents surveilled the motel and narrowed down the suspected parties and rooms.  Agents observed a red Toyota Camry arrive at the hotel to pick up two of the individuals suspected of selling drugs.  Agents followed the vehicle across state lines and observed the occupants of the vehicle participate in what appeared to be a drug transaction in Louisiana.  After the transaction, agents followed the Camry back into Mississippi and conducted a traffic stop.  Stoute was one of the occupants of the vehicle and was in possession of 50 pills containing fentanyl.  A subsequent search of Stoute’s cell phone confirmed that she was trafficking fentanyl pills.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.  The DEA reports that two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, and one kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.  More facts on fentanyl can be found at https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl and https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl.

On November 27, 2023, Stoute pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Hofer of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose prosecuted the case.