KC Brothers Sentenced for PCP Conspiracy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Kansas City, Mo., brothers were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute PCP.

Todd M. Byrd, 36, and his brother, Aaron Byrd, 42, both of Kansas City, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner. Todd Byrd was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole and 10 years of supervised release following incarceration. Aaron Byrd was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole and eight years of supervised release following incarceration.

On April 19, 2016, Todd Byrd pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of PCP. On the same date, Aaron Byrd pleaded guilty to a lesser included offense of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of PCP.

Investigators conducted a series of controlled purchases of PCP and seizures of PCP from Jan. 1, 2014, to May 21, 2015. According to court documents, Todd and Aaron Byrd were mid-level distributors with several sources of supply, including co-defendant Leelon L. Williams, 40, of Kansas City, Mo. The Byrd brothers regularly acquired multiple-ounce quantities of PCP to distribute to customers in quantities ranging from PCP-dipped cigarettes, called “sticks,” to half-ounce bottles and full ounce bottles of PCP.

Co-defendant George Hunt, 59, of Kansas City, Mo., traveled to Los Angeles, Calif., in April 2015 to pick up PCP from a supplier and deliver it to Todd Byrd. On his return trip, Hunt was stopped by the Kansas Highway Patrol for a traffic violation. The trooper noticed the overpowering odor of PCP emanating from the vehicle. The trooper conducted a search of Hunt’s vehicle and located a 64-ounce bottle containing PCP on the back seat floorboard.

Todd and Aaron Byrd are the fourth and fifth defendants to be sentenced after pleading guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Williams was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Hunt was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison without parole. Michael Lightener, 45, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison without parole.

Co-defendants Terrence T. Taliferro, 41, and Frank Savory 26, both of Kansas City, Mo., have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.