Farmington Man Pleads Guilty to Supplying Fentanyl Before Overdose Death

Farmington, Mo. (KFMO) - A Farmington man has pleaded guilty in federal court after admitting he supplied fentanyl to a man shortly before the victim’s overdose death.

According to federal court documents, 31-year-old James B. Link pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau to one count of distribution of fentanyl.

Court records state that on June 14, 2025, Link exchanged messages with the victim discussing the delivery of fentanyl pills. Investigators later determined that Link’s vehicle was seen leaving the victim’s home shortly before the victim died.

Authorities interviewed Link the following day, and he admitted he had delivered blue and yellow pills containing fentanyl to the victim shortly before the overdose death. Investigators also located matching blue and yellow pills at Link’s residence.

Link is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. The charge carries a possible penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

The case was investigated by the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office, the Mineral Area Drug Task Force, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Shelton is prosecuting the case.