NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

JOHN F. WOOD

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

OCTOBER 30, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JURY CONVICTS KC MAN FOR CRACK COCAINE CONSPIRACY

            KANSAS CITY, Mo. – John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal jury today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

             Marcus L. Robinson, 30, of Kansas City, was found guilty of both charges contained in an April 19, 2006, federal indictment.

             Robinson was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine from Aug. 31 to Sept. 22, 2005. Robinson was also found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine on Aug. 31, 2005.

             Two co-defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced on charges related to possessing or distributing crack cocaine.

             Artie J. Tatum, 33, of Kansas City, was sentenced on Aug. 8, 2007, to 14 years and two months in federal prison without parole. Corey J. Helms, 26, of Kansas City, was sentenced on Aug. 8, 2007, to one year and one day in federal prison without parole.

            Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in U.S. District Court in Kansas City deliberated about two hours before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple, ending a trial that began Monday, Oct. 30, 2007.

            Under federal statutes, Robinson could be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

            This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jane Pansing Brown and Lajuana Counts. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.