Topeka Man Sentenced For Possessing Gun During Drug Trafficking

TOPEKA, KAN. - A Topeka man who pleaded guilty to possessing a .40 caliber pistol in furtherance of drug trafficking has been sentenced to federal prison, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Malik T. Yates, 20, Topeka, Kan., was sentenced Monday to 30 months in federal prison. He 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.

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.