Feb. 3, 2010

CLUB SHOOTINGS IN GARDEN CITY
LEAD TO FEDERAL FIREARM INDICTMENT

WICHITA, KAN. – Eric H. Rojas, 22, Amarillo, Texas, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 1, 2009, in Finney County, Kan.

Rojas also faces state charges including aggravated battery in Finney County District Court in connection with a shooting incident Nov. 1, 2009, at the Salon Primaveras, 3225 Prairie Ave, in Garden City. In that incident, police were called to a report of two men firing into a crowd at the club. Four people were injured in the incident.

If convicted on the federal charge, 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 investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Sublet is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

A federal grand jury meeting in Wichita, Kan., also returned the following indictments:

Ricardo O. Quintana, 25, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 pounds of marijuana, and one count of attempted distribution of marijuana. The crime originated in Kansas and is alleged to have occurred on February 24, 2009.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $2 million on the conspiracy charge, and a maximum penalty of 5 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the attempted distribution charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated.

Felix Ismael Ledesma, 24, El Paso, Texas, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 4 kilograms of cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Jan. 9, 2010, in Pratt County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $2 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

Clifford L. Hollingsworth, 30, who is in federal custody, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, and one count of possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Nov. 15, 2009, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearms charge, and a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on the drug charge. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

Jesus Antonio Maynes-Ponce, 35, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Jan. 27, 2010, in Wichita, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Juan Arturo Florez, 35, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Jan. 25, 2010, in Garden City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. The Garden City Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Javier Garcia-Juarez, 36, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Feb. 1, 2010, in Wichita, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Cheryl D. Harrison, 48, Derby, Kan., is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 25, 2009, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, she 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 investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Sublet is prosecuting.

Heriberto Sandoval, 24, Stafford, Kan., is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Jan. 10, 2010, in Stafford County, 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. The Kansas Bureau of Investigated worked on the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Sublet is prosecuting.

Antonio A. Flores, 28, Dodge City, Kan., and Pedro C. Garcia, 23, Dodge City, Kan., are charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 6, 2009, in Ford County, Kan.

If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Sublet is prosecuting.

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