Sept. 15, 2006

 

FEDERAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST TWO MEN
WHO WERE ARRESTED AFTER A POLICE CHASE

 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. –Two men were indicted Thursday on drug and firearms charges in connection with a case that made headlines last month when police arrested a suspect after he fled into the Kansas River.

Joey Zaragoza, 30, Kansas City, Kan., and Justin W. Steele, 23, Kansas City, Kan., are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In addition, Zaragoza is charged with one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 14, 2006, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

In a separate indictment, the grand jury charged Victor Sedeno-Saldana, 30, Kansas City, Kan. He is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 14, 2006.

Zaragoza and Steele were charged last month in Wyandotte County District Court. Police said they broke into Sedeno-Saldana’s residence near 12th and Argentine in Kansas City, Kan., beat him and stole drugs from him. Police said both suspects fled to avoid arrest. In that case, the Wyandotte County District Attorney charged Zaragoza with shooting at police during the chase. Police said Steele was naked when he was arrested after he fled into the river.

Charges in the indictment carry the following penalties upon conviction:

– Conspiracy: Not less than 10 years and not more than life, and a fine up to $4 million.
– Possession with intent to distribute: Not less than 10 years and not more than life, and a fine up to $4 million.
– Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime: Not less than 5 years and not more than life and a fine up to $250,000.
– Possession of a firearm after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department investigated the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting. Ed Brancart of the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s office will be designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney to prosecute the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

In other cases, grand jury meeting in Kansas City, Kan., also returned the following indictments:

Marco Antonio Nunez-Ramos, a/k/a Henry T. Mendoza, 42, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 13, 2006, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.

Jesus Vargas-Medina, 25, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 12, 2006, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces 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 the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.

Harley D. Yoakum, 21, Merriam, Kan., is charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 17, 2005, in Merriam, 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 and the Lenexa Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

Maurice Harris, 65, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, and one count of maintaining a residence at 2726 Lathrop in Kansas City, Kan., for the purpose of trafficking in crack cocaine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred May 11, 2006, in Kansas City, 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, on the possession charge, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $500,000 on the charge of maintaining a residence for drug trafficking. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

Mario Ruben Macias-Fast, 32, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found April 21, 2006, in Wyandotte County, 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 Kim Martin is prosecuting.

Moncell L. Moultrie, 26, Kansas City, Kan., and Demetri D. Alexander, 23, Kansas City, Kan., are charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, possess and distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine; one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine; one count of maintaining a residence at 1011 Cleveland, Kansas City, Kan., for the purpose of trafficking in crack cocaine; and one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In addition, Alexander is charged alone with one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. The crimes are alleged to have occurred at various times from June 2006 through Aug. 3, 2006, in Wyandotte 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, on both the conspiracy and the possession charges; a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $500,000 on the charge of maintaining a residence for drug trafficking; and not less than 5 years and not more than life on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Alexander faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

Charles B. Littlejohn, Jr., 29, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm after one or more felony convictions. The crime is alleged to have occurred Oct. 12, 2005, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

John Earl Hall, 43, is charged with one count of robbing The First Option Bank, 502 E. Market Street, LaCygne, Kan. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 6, 2006, in Linn County.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt are 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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