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

MAY 8, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDEPENDENCE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO METH CONSPIRACY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Independence, Mo., man associated with an outlaw motorcycle gang pleaded guilty in federal court today to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

John R. Sheaffer, also known as Shifty, 60, of Independence, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple this morning to the charge contained in a Nov. 1, 2006, federal indictment. Sheaffer is part of the leadership of the local chapter of the El Forastero Motorcycle Club located in Kansas City.

Sheaffer admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine between Aug. 2 and Oct. 16, 2006.

By pleading guilty today, Sheaffer agreed to forfeit to the government his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which was used to commit the offense. Sheaffer will contest the forfeiture of $6,000 that was seized by law enforcement officers, as well as a collection of El Forastero Motorcycle Club memorabilia.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, a joint sentencing recommendation of 15 years in federal prison without parole is binding upon the court upon accepting the agreement. 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 Jeffrey Valenti and Kate Mahoney. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department.

****************

This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available on-line at