SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Denver, Co., man was sentenced in federal court yesterday for trafficking fentanyl and illegally possessing firearms.

Jason S. Thompson, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 20 years in federal prison without parole for possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms. Thompson was found guilty on Jan. 6, 2026, after a two-day jury trial.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 30, 2024, officers with the Nixa, Mo., Police Department contacted Thompson, who was camping in a minivan in a Walmart parking lot. Thompson initially provided officers with false identification. When officers attempted to arrest him, Thompson fled on foot but was quickly apprehended. Once Thompson gave officers correct identifying information, they learned he had a federal probation and parole warrant for his arrest.

Officers searched Thompson and found a small bag of cocaine and more than $1,000 cash. When officers searched the minivan they located drug paraphernalia, a large plastic bag containing nearly 140 grams of fentanyl pills, and two loaded firearms: a Glock model 19 and a HS Produkt Hellcat.

According to court documents, Thompson has an extensive criminal history that includes prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to distribute multiple controlled substances, and theft.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron A. Beaver, James J. Kelleher, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah R. Lucas. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Nixa, Mo., Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.