Oct. 13, 2010

DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO 11+ YEARS WHILE FACING TRIAL ON ANOTHER DRUG CHARGE

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City man who was sentenced Tuesday to 136 months in federal prison is still facing trial on a charge that he trafficked in drugs while he was out on bond in the first case, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Jeffrey Lichtenberger, 27, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, he admitted that from Oct. 1, 2008, to Jan. 31, 2009, he was selling cocaine and methamphetamine in Kansas City, Kan. Investigators arranged to buy cocaine or methamphetamine from Lichtenberger on Nov. 25, 2008, Jan. 12, 2009, June 30, 2009, and Sept. 28, 2009. He was arrested Dec. 21, 2009, at his home in Kansas City, Kan. He was indicted on the charges Jan. 6, 2010, and released on bond pending trial.

On June 16, 2010, while Lichtenberger was on bond in the first case, he was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, one count of distributing crack cocaine and one count of maintaining a residence at 2108 North 44th Street in Kansas City, Kan., for the purpose of distributing crack cocaine. He is awaiting trial on the charges.

Also charged in the second case was Ashlee Pier, 26, Kansas City, Kan.. She pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug involved premises and is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 13, 2010.

Grissom commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri McCracken for their work on the case.