20-Pound Meth Seizure Leads to Federal Charges

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Federal charges have been filed against three people after investigators seized 20 pounds of methamphetamine from a house in Kansas City, Kan., U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

The following defendants were charged in federal court Thursday with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine:

          Sheila M. Best, 53, Basehor, Kan.

          Karen Ortega, 40, Kansas City, Kan.

          Marlon Gutierrez, 38, Kansas City, Kan.

A search warrant served at a house in the 3000 block of North 34th Street in Kansas City, Kan., turned up 20 pounds of methamphetamine, more than a pound of heroin and more than $23,000 in cash.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. 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.