Indictment: Investigation Began at Grocery Store

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted today on federal firearms and drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Pablo Martinez, 42, Kansas City, Kan., was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Court documents allege the investigation began when law enforcement received a complaint from Balls Food Inc. that one of its employees was distributing marijuana. Investigators identified Martinez as the employee’s supplier.

When the Kansas Highway patrol stopped Martinez’s car for a traffic violation, a trooper found a .45 caliber handgun and more than a quarter pound of marijuana in the car. Martinez denied selling marijuana. He told investigators he himself smoked about a quarter pound of marijuana every five days.

If convicted, he could face a penalty not less than five years in federal prison on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, up to 10 years and fine up to $250,000 on the other firearm charge and up five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the marijuana charge. The FBI, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Dantay Ray Williams, 19, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred June 17, 2020 in Topeka.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than five years in federal prison on firearm charge and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the marijuana charge. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

Anthony Contreras, 22, Overland Park, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of distributing fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred July 22, 2020, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on the charge of distributing fentanyl, not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other firearm charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

Fermin Ramirez Bueno, 27, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Aug. 5, 2010, in Johnson County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Homeland Security investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.

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