Operation Little Big Man Generates Another Drug Conviction in Parsons, Kansas

WICHITA, KS—Tony Washington, 28, Parsons, Kan., has been convicted on charges of trafficking in marijuana and crack cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney Marietta Parker announced today.

A federal jury returned guilty verdicts on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to maintain a crack house at 1430 Appleton, #B, in Parsons, Kan.

During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Washington was part of a drug trafficking ring started by co-defendant Steve Logan in 2005 in Parsons, Kan. Logan supplied crack cocaine to other conspirators who sold it to other drug dealers and users. As the volume of Logan's drug trafficking increased, he began to pool his resources with Washington and others in order to purchase larger quantities of cocaine at a cheaper rate. During the summer of 2006, Logan moved from Parsons to Ottawa, Kan., but continued supplying drugs to Washington and others.

On Jan. 10, 2007, officers of the Ottawa Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office served a search warrant at Steve and Angie Logan's residence at 1112 N. Mulberry in Ottawa, Kan. They seized more than a pound of marijuana, $9,000 cash and a .357 Magnum revolver. When Washington arrived at the house, investigators found he was carrying $2,600 in cash.

In the spring and summer of 2007, undercover agents gathered evidence that Washington was supplying crack cocaine to other conspirators, who were selling it to buyers in Parsons. On April 17, 2007, undercover agents went to 719 South 15th, which was across the street from Washington's residence at 1430 Appleton, where they purchased $450 worth of crack cocaine from co-defendants Carol Boyce and Robert Hardridge

Co-defendants in the case include:

Steve Logan, 37, Ottawa, Kan., who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and is set for sentencing April 14, 2009.
Angie Logan, 27, Ottawa, Kan., who pleaded guilty to one count of possession of marijuana and is set for sentencing April 14, 2009.
Elton Simmons, 31, Parsons, Kan., who pleaded guilty to one count of distributing crack cocaine and is set for sentencing April 14, 2009.
Carlton Coleman, 44, Parsons, Kan., who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and is set for sentencing April 14, 2009.
Robert Hardridge, 28, Parsons, Kan. who pleaded guilty to one count of distributing crack cocaine and is set for sentencing April 14, 2009.
Carol Boyce, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Washington is scheduled for sentencing April 28, 2009. This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of Operation Little Big Man, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force project that has generated dozens of convictions in cases of drug trafficking, armed robberies, shooting, kidnaping and money laundering in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

Parker commended all the agencies that participated for their work on the cases, including the Ottawa Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the Parsons Police Department, the Labette County Sheriff's Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask.