Indictment: Two Mexican Citizens Sold Heroin, Meth, Guns at KCK Residence

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Mexican citizens living in Kansas City, Kan., were indicted today on charges of selling heroin, methamphetamine and guns from their home, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Pedro Daniel Torres-Caldera, 36, a citizen of Mexico, and Osmar Barraza-Caldera, 21, a citizen of Mexico, were indicted in an 18-count indictment that included charges of drug trafficking conspiracy; distribution of heroin, methamphetamine and oxycodone; unlawful possession of firearms; and maintaining a premises in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to court documents, investigators made a series of undercover purchases from the defendants in transactions that took place at the defendants’ residence in Kansas City, Kan. On Feb. 1, 2019, for instance, an undercover officer paid the defendants $2,500 for an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 rifle with a Spikes Tactical Launcher and a Trijicon ACOG Optic.

On March 13, 2019, investigators served a search warrant at the Locust address. They seized more than three pounds of black tar heroin and firearms.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Conspiracy: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.

          Distribution of heroin: Not more than 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.

          Distribution of more than 5 grams of methamphetamine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.

          Distribution of oxycodone: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.

          Possession of an unregistered firearm: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Alien in possession of a firearm: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Maintaining premises in furtherance of drug trafficking: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.

The FBI and the Jackson County Drug Task Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel are prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Tayler Charles Jones, 25, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 4, 2019, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton is prosecuting.

Joseph M. Chavez, 33, is charged with escaping from federal custody at the Grossman Residential Reentry Center in Leavenworth, Kan. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 21, 2019.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton is prosecuting.

Lionel Simpson, 21, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with seven counts of distributing crack cocaine, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of distributing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in February, March and April 2019 in Wyandotte County, Kan.

Upon conviction, the charges carry the following penalties:

          Distributing crack cocaine (counts 1-5, 7 and 8): Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.

          Possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking (counts 6 and 10): Not less than five years consecutive to any other sentence imposed and a fine up to $250,000.

          Distributing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine (count 9): Not less than five years and up to life imprisonment and a fine up to $5 million.      

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catani is prosecuting.

          Ty Gene Stultz, 43, Shawnee, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Oct. 12, 2018, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million.

          Carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction: Not less than 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan is prosecuting.

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