A St. Pete man is facing drug trafficking charges stemming from a murder investigation at his home.
Detectives say Darren Kegler, 55, was operating a “drug house” at his duplex on 14th Avenue South off Dr. MLK Jr. Street. John Knight and Ronnie Dials arrived at the home on April 15 to rob Kegler, according to the police department.
An altercation broke out, and Dials and Kegler were shot. Dials died at the scene, while Kegler was treated at the hospital for his injuries.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Knight, 48, was arrested two days later and charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Kegler was arrested on May 12 after detectives said they found drugs in his car during the homicide investigation.
Detectives reportedly found one kilo of cocaine in Kegler’s car, 463 grams of cocaine in his second car and 173.8 grams of cocaine in a container in his kitchen.
Kegler is charged with three counts of trafficking in cocaine. He also has a warrant for his arrest out of Orlando for conspiracy to traffic cocaine.