United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ST. LOUIS – Michael Charles Natoli, 58, of Dixon, Missouri was sentenced to 96 months in prison for distribution of heroin which resulted in death and serious bodily injury.

The charges were a result of a joint investigation between the St. James Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol – South Central Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division.

According to court documents, on August 3, 2016, Natoli drove co-defendant Heather Miller to the Economy Inn in St. James, Mo., where they distributed heroin to R.K. and received cash. R.K. was later found unresponsive in the hotel room and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Investigators examined R.K.’s cell phone and noticed a thread of text messages from August 3, 2016, wherein R.K. and “Heather” discussed “Heather” bringing R.K. what appeared to be controlled substances.  Thereafter, investigators began using R.K.’s phone to communicate with “Heather.” Heather agreed to supply R.K. with additional drugs.

On August 4, 2016, Miller and Natoli responded to the hotel and were taken into custody. Officers seized two small bags of heroin from Miller. Natoli admitted he would accompany Miller to St. Louis so she could obtain heroin. Natoli stated that he provided the money up front to buy the heroin and then drove Miller around to sell it.

While officers were interviewing Natoli at the hotel room, an investigator observed B.A. passed out in a vehicle that Miller and Natoli had driven in. B.A. displayed labored breathing, rapid heartbeat, and recent puncture marks on his arms. Officers noted that his pulse was becoming harder and harder to detect. B.A. then stopped breathing and officers had to resuscitate him. Officers recovered a white powder-like substance on his body which was later tested by a laboratory and found to contain heroin. Officers later learned that B.A. had purchased the heroin that he had overdosed on from Miller for $120. Miller gave B.A. the heroin and Natoli took the payment.

Co-defendant Heather Miller is awaiting trial.