U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney District of Kansas

NEWS RELEASE Lanny D. Welch, U.S. Attorney

GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENTS
IN TOPEKA ROBBERIES

Charges filed in drug, firearms cases, too

TOPEKA, KAN. – Federal indictments were returned Wednesday against two men charged with committing a series of robberies in Topeka.

Randall Wayne Thomas, 53, who is being held in the Shawnee County Jail, is charged with two counts of robbery. According to the indictment, on Oct. 22, 2006, Thomas robbed a McDonald’s restaurant at 3530 N.W. 46th in Topeka. In another count, the indictment charges that on Nov. 13, 2006, Thomas helped an accomplice, Tramaine Mondale Beadles, plan the robbery of Kaw Valley State Bank and Trust, 4700 N.W. Hunters Ridge in Topeka.

In a separate but related indictment, Tramaine Mondale Beadles, 24, who is being held in the Jackson County Jail, is charged with taking part in the Oct. 22, 2006, robbery at the McDonald’s restaurant, and the Nov. 13, 2006, robbery at Kaw Valley State Bank.

Beadles also is charged with the Nov. 24, 2006, robbery of Kaw Valley State Bank at 1944 N. Topeka Blvd. in Topeka, and the Nov. 28, 2006, robbery of Capital City Bank, 2915 SW. Wanamaker in Topeka.

Each robbery count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Topeka Police Department and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

A federal grand jury meeting in Topeka Wednesday also returned the following indictments:

Joshua T. Feyes, 29, who is being held in the Shawnee County Jail, is charged with one count of bank robbery. According to the indictment, on Dec. 8, 2006, he robbed Alliance Bank, 2620 S.W. 6th in Topeka, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Joaquin Geraldo Torres, 36, who is in custody in the Jackson County Jail, and Cassandra R. Beckwith, 27, Raytown, Mo., are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred from Dec. 17, 2005, through Dec. 14, 2006, in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life, and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough is prosecuting.

Rafael Mercado-Nava, 51, who is being held in the Wabaunsee County Jail, is charged with possession with intent to distribute approximately 18 kilograms of cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 9, 2006, in Wabaunsee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Brian Keith Brown, 25, who is in custody in the Shawnee County Jail, is charged with one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 19, 2006, in Geary County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command prepared the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Roberts are prosecuting.

David Ochoa, 20, Dodge City, Kan., is charged with possession with intent to distribute 23.2 grams of methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 21, 2006, in Ford County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life, and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mattivi is prosecuting.

Carlos Lopez, 43, and Alfonso Urana-Bonilla, 54, are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Nov. 11, 2006, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

Each count carries a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.

Ricardo Cardenas-Corona is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Dec. 11, 2006, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Christensen is prosecuting.

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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