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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Oct. 1 , 2009
LEAWOOD MAN AMONG FOUR INDICTED ON DRUG CHARGES
TOPEKA, KAN. – Curtis Crow, 27, Leawood, Kan., Alfredo Alvarez Mariscal, 45, Hemet, Calif., Robert Benavides Flores, 70, San Jacinto, Calif.; and Caesar Bonilla-Montiel, 24, Moreno Valley, Calif., are charged with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred from June 1, 2009, through Sept. 22, 2009, in Johnson and Wabaunsee counties in Kansas.
In addition: Mariscal, Flores and Bonilla-Montiel are charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine; and Crow is charged with one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.
According to a criminal complaint filed earlier, on Sept. 18, 2009, on Interstate 70 in WabaunseeCounty, Kan., a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper stopped a Ford 350 truck driven by Mariscal. Investigators found 13 kilograms (more than 28 pounds) of cocaine hidden in an air compressor on the truck. On Sept. 21, 2009, investigators executed a search warrant at 9803 Nieman Place in Overland Park, Kan., where they seized $90,000 in cash, 7 pounds of marijuana and firearms.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy: Not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $4 million.
Possession and attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine: Not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $4 million.
Possession with intent to distribute marijuana: A maximum penalty of 5 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than 5 years and not more than life, consecutive to other sentences, and a fine up to $250,000.
Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri McCracken is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
A federal grand jury meeting in Topeka, Kan., also returned the following indictments:
Xuechun Yu, 38, Los Angeles, Calif.; Lianzhen Huang, 49, San Gabriel, Calif.; Mei Lin, 50, San Gabriel, Calif.; and Xin Yan Cui, 36, Los Angeles, Calif., are charged with bank fraud.
According to the indictment, from July 13, 2009, through Sept. 16, 2009, Yu and the three women conspired to deposit fraudulent checks into Bank of America accounts, including one at the Bank of America branch location at 7624 State Line Road in Prairie Village, Kan. They withdrew cash from the accounts by automated teller machines and transactions at the counter. Each of the defendants possessed a Chinese passport with false names that also appeared on the accounts at Bank of America.
If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million. The U.S. Secret Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.
Socorro L. Ramirez, 24, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 26, 2009, in Shawnee County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.
Andrew D. Fields, 24, Leavenworth, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 8, 2009, in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.
Corey Cornelius, 31, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of possession of crack cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 3, 2009, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $2,500. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Curzydlo is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
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