Kansas City, Kansas Man Indicted After Arrest with 20 Pounds of Methamphetamine
| U.S. Attorney’s Office September 08, 2011 |
KANSAS CITY, KS—A Kansas City, Kan., man arrested with more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine has been indicted on federal charges, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Jose Garcia, 36, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of distributing methamphetamine, one count of maintaining a residence at 302 South Valley Street, Kansas City, Kan., in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.
Garcia initially was charged in criminal complaint filed Aug. 15. The complaint alleges that on Aug. 11, 2011, investigators working undercover paid Garcia $3,500 for methamphetamine. When investigators served a search warrant at Garcia’s residence at 302 South Valley Street they found 10.3 kilograms (22.7 pounds) of methamphetamine hidden in a cinder block wall in the backyard. They also seized more than $8,700 in cash.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $4 million.
- Distribution of methamphetamine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million.
- Maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
- Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the FBI, and the Jackson County, Mo., Drug Task Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Zabel are prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
A grand jury meeting in Kansas City, Kan., also returned the following indictments:
Manuel Galaviz-Reyes, 32, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Aug. 19, 2011, in Butler County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.