Indictment: Man Who Fired Lethal Shot Was Distributing Methamphetamine

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man who said he killed another man in self-defense was indicted today on federal firearm and drug charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister

Dalton Patterson, 26, Wichita, Kan., was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and two counts of unlawful possession of firearms by a user of controlled substances.

          On October 18, 2019, Wichita police reported that Patterson shot and killed Charles Cunningham during a fight. Police said Cunningham physically attacked Patterson and Patterson shot him.

          The federal charges allege that on the day of the shooting Patterson possessed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The indictment also alleges that while Patterson was a user of controlled substances he unlawfully possessed a 9 mm Ruger handgun on Nov. 1, 2019, and a .380 caliber Cobra handgun on Nov. 8, 2019.

          If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison on the drug charge, not less than five years on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and up to 10 years on each count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances. The Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

          Jesus Lora-Ramirez, 21, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Nov. 22, 2019, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

          If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison. Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE) investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

          Terry DeShawn Bennett, 32, Wichita, Kan., is charged in a superseding indictment with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances and one count possession of cocaine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 29, 2018, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

          If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison on each of the firearm charges and up to a year on the drug charge. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.

          Jorge Contreras, 42, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found May 10, 2018, in Chase County, Kan.

          If convicted, he could face up to two years in federal prison. Homeland Security Investigations (ICE) investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.

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

##