Press Release
Drug Indictment in Kansas Began with Traffic Stop in Utah
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Kansas
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – An investigation that began with a traffic stop in Utah led to a federal indictment in Kansas City, Kan., Wednesday charging five people with drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Ana Claudia Rodriguez-Rodriguez, 39; Sergio Lopez, 41; Migel Lopez-Lopez, 22; Daniel Rivera, 32; and Andres Marquez, 22, are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Rodriguez-Rodriguez was stopped by the Utah Highway Patrol Jan. 21, 2015, driving a red 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Troopers found approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine in the car. Investigators determined that she was headed to the Kansas City area to deliver the drugs. In Kansas City, Kan., officers set up a sting operation and arrested the other defendants when they attempted to take delivery of the drugs.
If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million. The Utah Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Tomasic is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Derick Allen Spicer, 34, is charged with failing to register as required by the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 12, 2014.
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.
Andrew J. Denning, 23, Wichita, Kan., and Tyler W. Lewis, 22, Wichita, Kan., are charged with one count of distributing marijuana and one count each of unlawfully possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Feb. 3, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the marijuana count and a penalty of not less than five years on the gun charges. The Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Updated February 18, 2015
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