November 9, 2015

Two Kansas City Men Sentenced for Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearms

KANSAS CITY, MO—Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Kansas City, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today on charges related to drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms.

Donald Morgan, also known as “Rone,” 43, and Derrick K. Vaughn, 47, both of Kansas City, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner. Morgan was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Vaughn was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole.

On April 30, 2015, Morgan and Vaughn each pleaded guilty to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Morgan also pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana and to money laundering. Vaughn also pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.

From April 25, 2007, to April 25, 2012, Morgan and Vaughn participated in a conspiracy that distributed one kilogram of cocaine and nine kilograms of marijuana.

Morgan admitted that he was in possession of a Roman Arms rifle and a DPMS 7.62 x 39 rifle in furtherance of the conspiracy. Vaughn admitted that he was in possession of a Pietro Beretta handgun in furtherance of his possession of crack cocaine to distribute.

Morgan also admitted that he purchased a residence in Kansas City, Mo., with the proceeds of drug trafficking. He provided a co-defendant with two checks in order to close on the property, in an effort to conceal the true origin of the funds. Vaughn admitted that he occupied a bedroom in this house, where he possessed eight bags of crack cocaine totaling 2.35 grams, which he intended to distribute, as well as the handgun.

Morgan used this residence and another residence as storage and distribution hubs for his cocaine and marijuana supplies. Morgan specifically admitted that on Feb. 21, 2012, he stored distribution amounts of marijuana and $79,980 in drug proceeds at one of the residences. He admitted that he possessed the rifles within the residence in order to protect the marijuana and the money.

Co-defendant Rudolfo Villareal, also known as “Gordo” and “Rudy,” 41, of Kansas City, Mo., and others supplied Morgan with distribution amounts of cocaine and marijuana. Villareal pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, and to money laundering, and awaits sentencing.

Four co-defendants in addition to Morgan, Vaughn and Villareal, have pleaded guilty in this case. Paul Tinoco, Sr., 67, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Edward M. Sola, 41, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. James Comer, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole. Andrea Mabe, 39, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Connelly. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS-Criminal Investigation.