Two from Leavenworth Charged with Drug Trafficking Near Elementary School

KANSAS CITY, KS—A man and a woman from Leavenworth, Kan., are charged with drug trafficking near an elementary school, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Danielle R. Kostiuk, 28, Leavenworth, Kan., and Pablo Valdovinos Bravo, 31, Leavenworth, Kan., are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of Earl M. Lawson Elementary School in Leavenworth.

In addition, Kostiuk is charged with four counts of distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of Earl M. Lawson Elementary School, one count of distributing methamphetamine, and one count of maintaining a residence at 620 North 5th Street, Apartment C, in furtherance of drug trafficking. The apartment is located within 1,000 feet of Earl M. Lawson Elementary School. The crimes are alleged to have occurred at various times from Oct. 17, 2011, to Feb 4, 2012, in Leavenworth.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

• Conspiracy: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and not more than life and a fine up to $10 million.
• Distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school: Not less than five years and not more than 80 years and a fine up to $2 million on each count.
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school: Not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $20 million.
• Maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than a year and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $4 million.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.

Other Indictments

A grand jury meeting in Kansas City, Kan., also returned the following indictments:

Javier Vazquez-Flores, 40, Norwak, Calif., is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana and one count of attempting to possess marijuana. The crimes are alleged to have occurred from Sept. 9, 2011, to Jan. 27, 2012, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than five years and no more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million on the conspiracy count and a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the attempted possession of marijuana count. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.

Charles E. Shaw, 54, Kansas City, Mo., is charged with one count of armed bank robbery, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in a crime of violence, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Feb. 9, 2012, in Shawnee County, kan.

Shaw initially was charged in a criminal complaint filed Feb. 10 in U.S. District Court in Topeka. The indictment alleges that on Feb. 9, 2012, Shaw was carrying a firearm when he robbed the Educational Credit Union at 901 Topeka Boulevard in Topeka. Because of a prior conviction for armed bank robbery, Shaw was prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the armed robbery charge, not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of using a firearm in a crime of violence, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough is prosecuting.

Eric A. Reed, Jr., 28, Lawrence, Kan., is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 9, 2011, in Lawrence, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt is prosecuting.

Roosevelt B. Johnson, 35, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 10, 2012, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Wichita Police Department investigated.

Terrence J. Smith, 30, Olathe, Kan., is charged with failing to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. He was convicted in Maryland on a charge of second degree sexual assault. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 23, 2011, in Johnson County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin is prosecuting.

Kenya Harris, 27, Ypsilanti, Mich, is charged with failing to appear for a court hearing on conspiracy to defraud charges. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 6, 2012.

If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton is prosecuting.

Francisco J. Patricio, 21, is charged with unlawful possession of ammunition after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 8, 2012, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.