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Press Release

Indictment: It Began When Troopers Stopped a Truck with 35 Pounds of Meth

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Kansas

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two men living in Kansas were indicted today on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

According to court records, the investigation began when the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped a truck carrying automobiles and discovered 35 pounds of methamphetamine.

Jovanny Medina, 22, Kansas City, Kan., and Aron Rodriguez-Posada, 45, Kansas City, Kan., were charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition, Medina was charged with three counts of distributing methamphetamine. In addition, Rodriguez-Posada, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported and one count of making false statements to the FBI.

According to court records, a trooper stopped a car carrier on Oct. 9, 2019, in Meade, Kan. The trooper found 35 pounds of methamphetamine in the gas tank of a white Buick the truck was carrying. The car was scheduled for delivery to a Dollar General store in Kansas City, Kan., and DEA agents arranged to conduct a controlled delivery to that destination with a portion of the drugs. In Kansas City, Kan., the two defendants were arrested when they attempted to take possession of the Buick.

If convicted, the defendants could face the following penalties:

Conspiracy: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.

Distributing methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.

Attempted distribution of methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years in and a fine up to $10 million.

Unlawful re-entry: Up to two years and a fine up to $250,000.

False statement: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City Metro Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

Tommy Benson, 24, Cedric Sanders, 22, Courtney Sanders, 20, Verdell Mays Jr., 24, all from Kansas City, Kan., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute five pounds of marijuana and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Sept. 26, 2017, in Johnson County, Kan.

According to court records, investigators found the marijuana and the firearms when they served a search warrant at an apartment in Overland Park, Kan.

If convicted, the defendants could face a penalty of not less than five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City Metro Strike Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

Ramon Guadalupe Najar, 26, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 31, 2019, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

According to court records, the guns were found when police were called to the scene of an auto accident in which Najar was injured.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The FBI and the Kansas City Metro Strike Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

James D. Vaughn, 33, is charged with escaping from federal custody at the Grossman residential re-entry center in Leavenworth, Kan. The crime is alleged to have occurred Oct. 9, 2019,

If convicted, he could face up to 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.

Anthony Todd Benjamin, 34, Colony, Kan., is charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in May and June 2019 in Franklin County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million on each drug count, and not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane is prosecuting.

Carmelo Castro-Vacio, 25, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Sep. 24, 2019, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.

         

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

Updated October 23, 2019

Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component