Five Sedalia Gang Members Sentenced for Drug Trafficking

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that five members of a Sedalia, Mo., street gang were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed at least five kilograms of cocaine and crack cocaine in the Sedalia area.

Operation Coin Collector focused on significant violent crime and drug-trafficking activity in the Sedalia area by a street gang called 5 Block. Numerous incidents involving firearms, shootings and murder surrounded members of 5 Block. The two-year-long investigation, which began in April 2010, resulted in six separate but related federal indictments in 2013 for drug-trafficking conspiracies that, in total, distributed more than $1 million worth of cocaine and crack cocaine.

Kenneth C. Kendrick, also known as “Kavi,” 43, Eric T. Hawkins, also known as “Easy,” 35, Kardell E. Sims, also known as “FU,” 37, George E. Buckner, also known as “Jorge,” 53, and Ronald C. Boggs, also known as “Hobbs,” 49, all of Sedalia, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple. Kendrick was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison without parole. Hawkins was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison without parole. Sims was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison without parole. Buckner was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison without parole. Boggs was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison without parole.

Kendrick, Hawkins, Sims, Buckner and Boggs each pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine from Oct. 5, 2011, to July 2, 2013. Under the terms of their plea agreements, they are jointly liable for a money judgment of $500,000, which represents their drug-trafficking proceeds, based on a conservative street price of $100 per gram and distribution during the conspiracy of five kilograms or more of cocaine and crack cocaine.

Between March 2012 and July 2013, numerous purchases of firearms, crack cocaine, and cocaine were made by confidential informants from members of 5 Block while monitored by law enforcement officers. These purchases occurred in Sedalia and focused primarily in the territory 5 Block operates. Five court-ordered wiretaps were authorized in this case. During these wire taps the members of 5 Block were intercepted and overheard discussing various narcotics and firearms transactions.

Kendrick admitted that he was involved in the distribution of approximately 235.95 grams of crack cocaine and 533.855 grams of cocaine. Hawkins admitted that he was involved in the distribution of approximately 613.3 grams of cocaine and approximately 121.3 grams of crack cocaine. Sims admitted that he was involved in the distribution of approximately 23 grams of crack cocaine. Buckner admitted that he was involved in the distribution and/or purchase of approximately 48.2 grams of crack cocaine. Boggs admitted that he was involved in the distribution and/or purchase of approximately 318.8 grams of cocaine and approximately 14 grams of crack cocaine.

Kendrick’s father, Lee A. Kendrick, 68, Marvin D. Spruell, 59, and his wife, Vickey J. Spruell, 58, all of Sedalia, have also pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Edwards and Joseph M. Marquez. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the ATF-led JOLT (Joint Operations Law Enforcement Team) Task Force – comprised of the Sedalia, Warrensburg and Warsaw police departments and the Pettis County, Hickory County, Henry County, Johnson County and Benton County sheriff’s departments – and the Pettis County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office.