Gang Member Sentenced to 20 Years on Crack Cocaine Charges

KANSAS CITY, MO—Matt J. Whitworth, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a member of the 24th Street gang in Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.

Rickey A. Cubit, 31, of Kansas City, was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On Aug. 20, 2008, Cubit pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine.

The Kansas City, Mo., Police Department’s gang unit, along with federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI, had been investigating 24th Street gang members. Information from a confidential source identified Cubit as a crack cocaine distributor and 24th Street gang member.

The confidential source provided information that Cubit would be picking up cocaine from one of his sources on Jan. 23, 2008. Surveillance was initiated and Cubit was seen traveling from a residence on East 79th Street to another residence near 27th and Denver. Upon leaving this residence, detectives and agents attempted to stop the car Cubit was driving; however, a car chase ensued and Cubit was able to elude them.

Cubit was later relocated driving his car and he was stopped. A K-9 unit indicated that illegal narcotics were concealed inside the car. The car was transported to a Kansas City Police Department garage and searched. Approximately 90 grams of crack cocaine was removed from behind the radio and ash tray of the car.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jess E. Michaelsen. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.