Sixteen People Indicted on Federal Drug Charges in Kansas City, Kansas

KANSAS CITY, KS—Sixteen people are charged in a federal indictment alleging they were part of a drug trafficking organization that distributed more than $4.2 million worth of cocaine on the streets of Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

A 49-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas, alleges the organization distributed cocaine and crack cocaine from five locations in the city, including a house located within 1,000 feet of Northwest Middle School.

“Drugs are destroying Kansas City neighborhoods, contributing to a climate of violence and victimization, ruining the lives of users and their families,” Grissom said. “I want this indictment to send a message to drug traffickers. Stay away from our schools. Stay away from our kids. Stay away from our homes.”

In addition to seeking a money judgment against the traffickers of more than $4.2 million, the government is asking for the forfeiture of six houses in Kansas City, Kansas, that the indictment alleges were used by the traffickers:

• 2648 N. 21st Street
• 2636 N. 20th Street
• 2635 N. 20th Street
• 2632 N. 20th Street
• 2111 N. 49th Street
• 2016 N. 27th Street

Among the 49 counts of the indictment are the following charges:

• Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine
• Distribution of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
• Drug trafficking within 1,000 feet of a school
• Maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking
• Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking
• Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.
• Unlawful use of cellular telephones in furtherance of drug trafficking

Fourteen of the 16 defendants were arrested Wednesday, Oct. 14, when the FBI, the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department and other agencies assisting with the investigation served arrest warrants and search warrants. Investigators also seized cash, drugs, guns, and other evidence.

Grissom said the investigation, which began in 2006, was a joint effort.

“Effective coordination between federal, state and local agencies is absolutely essential for us to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations and associated criminal networks,” Grissom said. “I commend the many law enforcement officers who worked on this case without letting jurisdictional boundaries stand in the way.”

Charged in the indictment are:

• Antonio D. Quinn, 32, Kansas City, Kansas
• Steven L. Quinn, 34, Kansas City, Kansas
• Marcus L. Quinn, 29, Kansas City, Kansas
• Lavaughn J. Brown, 31, Kansas City, Kansas
• Andrew J. Price, 32, Olathe, Kansas
• Mark A. Brooks, 32, Kansas City, Kansas
• Willie F. Ford, 29, Kansas City, Kansas
• Keyaun C. James, 23, Kansas City, Kansas
• Rocquel Jones-Quinn, 37, Kansas City, Kansas
• Dale E. Talley, II, 54, Shawnee, Kansas
• Daniel Cardenas Garcia, 23, Kansas City, Kansas
• Adrian A. Melendez, 27, Kansas City, Kansas
• Polley E. Smith, 33, Kansas City, Missouri
• Janis Diggins, 43, Kansas City, Missouri
• Juan D. Lopez, Jr., 31, Kansas City, Missouri
• Ruth A. Alvarado-Lopez, 26, Kansas City, Missouri

Upon conviction, the alleged crimes carry the following penalties:

• Conspiracy: Not less than 10 years and not more than life in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million.
• Maintaining and conspiracy to maintain a drug-involved premises within 1,000 feet of as school: A maximum penalty of 40 years and a fine up to $4 million.
• Maintaining and conspiracy to maintain a drug-involved premises: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $2 million.
• Distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school: Not less than one year and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million.
• Distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school: Not less than one year and not more than 10 years and a fine up to $500,000.
• Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school: Not less than five years and not more than 80 years and a fine up to $4 million.
• Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and not more than life, consecutive to any sentence for drug trafficking.
• Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
• Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine: Not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $4 million.
• Distribution of crack cocaine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million.
• Unlawful use of a cellular telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking: A maximum penalty of four years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
• Distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.

Grissom commended the following agencies for their work on the case: The FBI; the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department; the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department; the Lee’s Summit Police Department; the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department; the Leavenworth Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt are prosecuting.