KC Man Indicted for Meth Conspiracy, Illegal Firearm

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Jasper County, Mo., and for illegally possessing a firearm.

Dustin S. Parrish, 29, of Kansas City, was charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.

Today’s indictment alleges that Parrish participated in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Jasper County between May 1 and Oct. 1, 2015. Parrish is also charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

The federal indictment also charges Parrish with one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Parrish allegedly was in possession of a Taurus .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Oct. 1, 2015.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Parrish has prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a precursor drug with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.