A drug trafficker from St. Louis, who lost over $1.5 million that belonged to the infamous Sinaloa Cartel while gambling, has received a 15-year federal prison sentence.
Derek Rockette, at 53 years old, pleaded guilty in March to offenses including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, participation in a money laundering plot, and illegal firearm possession as a convicted felon, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.
A father of three, Rockette admitted he was involved in a drug trafficking operation from at least 2016 up until 2021. Federal prosecutors claim that the Sinaloa Cartel provided him with significant amounts of cocaine and fentanyl on credit, expecting him to remit the profits.
Unfortunately, between 2017 and 2021, Rockette gambled away the funds owed to this globally feared criminal organization. In the years that followed, he attempted to recover from his losses.
Cartel Confrontation
Prosecutors alleged that representatives from the Sinaloa Cartel visited St. Louis to address the outstanding debt. Subsequently, Rockette made a series of six-figure repayments facilitated through complex laundering schemes operated by Chinese and Mexican networks.
According to prosecutors, the Chinese money-laundering network concealed the drug profits by depositing funds into an account used for paying credit card fees related to airline tickets sold within China—an example of trade-based money laundering.
The indictment revealed that Rockette’s debt amount fluctuated as he made repayments while continuing to obtain fresh drug shipments on credit from the cartel.
Federal agents intercepted some cash payments and traced others through Chicago or directed them to U.S. bank accounts before sending the funds to Mexico.
Evading Law Enforcement
On March 25, 2019, when agents approached Rockette, prosecutors noted he was “gambling in the street.” He attempted to flee, discarding a Glock 9 mm pistol, and was later found in possession of over $10,000.
Having previously served five years for a marijuana trafficking conspiracy, Rockette was legally prohibited from owning firearms.
Two years later, St. Louis police stopped Rockette’s vehicle and discovered around $2,000 in cash, along with 236.26 grams of cocaine, 3.56 grams of fentanyl, and 12.4 grams of a mixed substance containing cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, as stated by prosecutors.
The government contended that Rockette should not be equated with co-defendants who primarily functioned as couriers or cash recipients.
“Very few drug traffickers in St. Louis have direct ties to the Sinaloa Cartel,” the prosecutors asserted while pushing for the maximum sentence permissible under Rockette’s plea agreement.