Sept. 9, 2010

THIRD DRUG TRAFFICKING CONVICTION SENDS KANSAS CITY WOMAN TO PRISON FOR LIFE

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Deborah Jackson, 51, Kansas City, Kan., has been sentenced to life plus five years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. In her plea, she admitted that she assisted her son, co-defendant James Adam Jackson, in a drug trafficking business they operated together. At times when James Adam Jackson was unavailable, his business associates delivered methamphetamine and picked up drug payments from Deborah Jackson.

The Jacksons sold methamphetamine and stored firearms at their residence in the 2700 block of Espenlaub in Kansas City, Kan. At various times the Jacksons received firearms in payment of drug debts and used firearms to pay their own drug debts. On Oct. 4, 2007, Deborah Jackson paid a drug debt with firearms including rifles, pistols, a shotgun and ammunition.

At sentencing, prosecutors cited Deborah Jackson’s two prior felony drug convictions. Co-defendant James Adam Jackson was sentenced in March to 96 months in federal prison.

Grissom commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri McCracken for their work on the case.