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

DECEMBER 17, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KC MAN SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN PRISON

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 sentenced in federal court today for participating in a crack cocaine conspiracy.

Spencer G. Holmes, 39, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs this morning to13 years and four months in federal prison without parole.

On June 13, 2008, Holmes pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine from December 2006 to February 2007. Holmes admitted that he attempted to sell crack cocaine to a confidential source on Feb. 15, 2007. As police officers approached the parked truck where the sale was occurring, Holmes, who was sitting in the passenger seat, exited the vehicle and ran on foot. He was apprehended a short distance away and arrested.

While searching Holmes’ residence, police officers found more crack cocaine, powder cocaine, a loaded .45-caliber handgun, $9,820 and drug paraphernalia.

Co-defendant Maurice Matches, 36, of Kansas City, was sentenced on Oct. 10, 2008, to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Frank K. Smith, 44, of Kansas City, was sentenced on July 15, 2008, to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Y. Tabor. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

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