Wichita Gang Member Indicted On Federal Drug, Firearms Charges

WICHITA, KAN. – A member of the Insane Crips gang in Wichita was indicted today on federal drug and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Charles L. Hervey, 21, Wichita, Kan., was charged in a superseding indictment with two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances and one count of maintaining a residence in the 3100 block of South Pallisade.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each count.

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

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

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

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 
 Alfredo Nino-Cruz, 29, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction, one count of unlawful possession of ammunition following a felony conviction and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person not legally in the United States. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in Sedgwick County, Kan.
 

          Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition following a felony conviction: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm by a person illegally in the United States: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

          The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

          Raul Castro-Aguda, 53, a citizen of Mexico, is charged in a superseding indictment with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported, one count of misusing a Social Security number, one count of making a false claim of citizenship, and one count of possessing a false Social Security card. He was found Jan. 4, 2018, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

          Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Unlawful re-entry: Up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

          Misusing a Social Security number: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Making a false claim of citizenship: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Possessing a false document: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.

          Justin Ware, 30, Cushing Okla., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. In addition, Victoria Celso, 25, Cushing, Okla., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a stolen firearm. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in May 2018 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

Upon conviction, both counts carry a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.

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