Two Men Admit Smuggling Drugs into Jail, Causing Inmate’s Death

ST. LOUIS – Two men have admitted involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle drugs into the St. Francois County Jail that resulted in the overdose death of an inmate.

Garry W. Triplett, 37, of Bonne Terre, Missouri, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death and one count of distributing of controlled substances.

Timothy L. Noll, 35, of Park Hills, Missouri, pleaded guilty on May 22, to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death and one count of distribution of controlled substances resulting in death.

Both men admitted involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle drugs into the St. Francois County Jail. Noll arrived at the jail on July 27, 2021, and almost immediately began to try and find someone to smuggle drugs into the jail that he could then sell. After finding an intermediary, Noll instructed the intermediary to get the drugs from Triplett. This initial distribution was captured on a video call:

Noll also advised the intermediary on how to conceal the drugs in a bible.

On August 1, an intermediary dropped off the bible at the jail. The next morning, Noll was being transferred to state prison. When he discovered that he couldn’t bring the bible with him, he had staff give it to his cellmate, who died August 4 of mixed drug intoxication. The victim had 19 ng/ml of fentanyl in his bloodstream. As little as 3 ng/ml can be fatal. He had also taken methamphetamine.

On a shelf in his cell, investigators discovered a clear plastic baggie with methamphetamine residue and a King James Bible with a detached spine.

Triplett admitted providing 3 grams of both fentanyl and meth to the intermediary, and Noll admitted providing these controlled substances to his cellmate. They also acknowledged that these controlled substances caused the cellmate’s death.

Noll is scheduled to be sentenced in August, and Triplett in September. The death resulting charge carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, with a maximum penalty of life and a $10 million fine.

The case was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bluestone is prosecuting the case.