Topeka Man Carried .40 Caliber Pistol In Furtherance Of Drug Trafficking

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of carrying a .40 caliber pistol in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Malik T. Yates, 20, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. In his plea, he admitted that on March 1, 2013, members of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Task Force served a search warrant at his residence in Topeka. They seized methamphetamine, a .40 caliber pistol and $3,000 cash.

He is set for sentencing Nov. 18. He faces a sentence of not less than five years and not more than life and a fine up to $250,000.

Grissom commended the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway for their work on the case.