April 8, 2010

TOPEKA MAN CHARGED IN ROBBERIES, CARJACKINGS

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man has been charged with a series of armed robberies and carjackings, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.

Darius Ramon Moore, 47, Topeka, Kan., is charged with three counts of armed robbery, three counts of taking a motor vehicle by force and one count of brandishing a firearm during a robbery. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in November 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 in Topeka.

According to the indictment:
– On Nov. 19, 2009, Moore brandished a handgun while he robbed the Kwik Shop at 102 S.W. 37th in Topeka.
– On Jan. 25, 2010, he robbed Walgreens, 2915 S.W. Gage in Topeka.
– On Feb. 24, he threatened a woman and stole her 2002 Dodge Durango.
– On Feb. 24, he robbed the Kix 66 Service Station and Convenience Store, 3300 S.W. Gage in Topeka.
– On Feb. 27, 2010, he threatened a driver in an attempt to steal a 2005 Dodge van.
– On Feb. 27, 2010, he threatened a driver in an attempt to steal a 2004 Pontiac Grand-Am.

If convicted, he faces the following penalties:
Armed robbery: A maximum penalty of 25 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Brandishing a firearm during a robbery: Not less than seven years and a fine up to $250,000.
Carjacking: A maximum penalty of 15 years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Topeka Police Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

A federal grand jury meeting in Topeka, also returned the following indictments:

Marcelo Sanchez-Perez, 26, Puyallup, Wash., is charged with one count of possession of 2.25 kilograms (more than 4.9 pounds) of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred March 23, 2010, in Wabaunsee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $2 million on the crack charge, and a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $4 million on the methamphetamine charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Crispin Jimenez-Zambada, 23, Kansas City, Mo., Elizabeth Zepeda, 27, Kansas City, Mo., and Jose Meza-Aramburo, 42, Phoenix, Ariz., are charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition, Jiminez-Zambada is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Feb. 16, 2010, in Ellsworth 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 the methamphetamine. On the immigration charge, Jimenez-Zambada faces a maximum penalty of 2 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Cynthia Evans, 49, Riverside, Calif., James Clark, 32, Riverside, Calif., Michael Keigley, 44, Apple Valley, Calif., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 5, 2008, in Geary County, Kan.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Eric C. Zahn, 49, Los Lunas, New Mexico, is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 23, 2010, in Osage County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Robert Frederick Baker, 45, Lawrence, Kan., is charged with failing to register as a sex offender. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 15, 2009, in Douglas County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin is prosecuting.

Curt D. Vandevelde, 37, St. Marys, Kan., is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 5, 2010, in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Michael L. Woosley, 43, Topeka, Kan., is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 28, 2008, in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Topeka Police Department, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Michael L. Hill, 37, Kansas City, Mo., is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 21, 2010, in Kansas City, Kan.

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

Lawrence L. Bennett, 35, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 19, 2010, in Kansas City, Kan.

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


In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.