PARSONS WOMAN
ADMITS TO LAUNDERING
DRUG DEALER’S MONEY

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – While a federal jury deliberated in her case, a Parsons woman decided to plead guilty Friday to helping a drug dealer launder his money.

Melody Brown, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. She entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia. The plea came while the jury was deliberating in a trial that began Nov. 13.

Brown admitted that co-conspirator Dheadry Powell gave her cash proceeds from drug trafficking, part of which she was allowed to spend on herself.

“Ms. Brown knew that Dheadry Powell’s money came from drug trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren. “She used a portion of the money he gave her to make mortgage payments on her home and to install vinyl siding on her house.”

In her plea, Brown admitted that beginning in July 2000 and continuing to October 2004 she helped Powell conduct financial transactions at Commercial Bank and Labette Bank in Parsons, Kan., that were meant to conceal the source of cash Powell got from drug trafficking. The scheme involved exchanging smaller bills for larger ones. For instance, on Sept. 1, 2003, Brown exchanged approximately $4,000 worth of $20 dollar bills for $100 bills at Labette Bank. Powell regularly gave Brown cash, some of which she spent, and some of which she hid in her house.

As part of the conspiracy, Powell also bought cars and other property that he later had titled in Brown’s name in an effort to disguise the fact he was the owner. This included a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice, and 1985 Chevrolet pickup and a 1980 BUDD manufactured trailer home.

On Oct. 28, 2004, investigators served a search warrant at Brown’s home and seized $12,809 in cash they found beneath a refrigerator in the kitchen.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 12, 2007. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $500,000.

Powell is awaiting sentencing following his guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and money laundering.

Melgren commended the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Parsons Police Department and the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, which investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask, who prosecuted.

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