Road from Arizona to Kansas Leads to Federal Prison

TOPEKA, KAN. - An Arizona man was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking in heroin and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Devonte Jemell Starks, 30, Phoenix, Ariz., was convicted in a jury trial in April 2019 on count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

During trial, the prosecutor presented evidence that Starks was one of four people in a car that the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped on Sept. 17, 2018, in Shawnee County. Troopers found more than 8 pounds of heroin and 4 pounds of fentanyl in the car.

McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough for their work on the case.