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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
June 13, 2008
INDICTMENT SAYS CONSPIRATORS MADE MORE THAN $1 MILLION DISTRIBUTING DRUGS IN WICHITA
WICHITA, KAN. – Federal agents in Wichita Thursday arrested four members of an alleged drug ring that prosecutors say made more than $1 million selling methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
A federal indictment unsealed Friday in the case seeks forfeiture of $1.3 million in drug trafficking proceeds as well as real estate used by the conspirators including 722 W. Hendryx; 821 W. Maple, 1133 E. 31st; 2410 S. Laurel; 236 N. Green; 3559 S. Clifton; 816 and 818 S. Crestway; 848 and 850 S. Crestway; 2030, 2032 and 2034 S. Gold; 419 S. Osage; 2810 N. Tee Time, 2435 S. Dalton and 419 S. Osage. According to the indictment, the conspiracy existed from Nov. 1, 2006, through May 1, 2007 in Sedgwick County, Kan.
Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration made arrests and served search warrants with the assistance of the Wichita Police Department, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Haysville Police Department, and the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. They seized more than 2 pounds of methamphetamine, 5 loaded firearms including an assault rifle and $35,000 cash.
Charged in the indictment are:
– Thomas J. Fernandez, 31, Wichita
– Marco Guerrero, 32, Wichita
– Richard Sebbo, 36, Andover
– Justin Matthews, 28, Wichita
– Joshua Corral, 27, Wichita
– Christopher Holmes, 24, Wichita
– Michael Ko, 33, Leavenworth, Kan.
Fernandez, Sebbo, Matthews and Holmes are in custody and set for initial appearances Monday on the charges. Charges include conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Upon conviction, the conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million. The possession charges carry a penalty of up to 5 years and a fine up to $250,000 each.
“This investigation led by the DEA, the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is an example of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working together with the common goal of making Wichita a safer place to live and work,” said Preston Grubbs, DEA special agent in charge, St. Louis Field Division Office.
As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
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