KC Man Sentenced to 17 Years for $809,000 Meth Conspiracy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in an $809,000 conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Luis Hernandez, 51, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Thursday, March 28, 2013 to 17 years in federal prison without parole.

On July 2, 2012, Hernandez pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine between Jan. 1, 2008 and Aug. 11, 2011. Hernandez admitted that he was supplied with more than seven kilograms of methamphetamine by co-defendant Jesus Roberto Zamudio Beltran, 36, a Mexican national with no known address. Hernandez admitted that he distributed the methamphetamine to co-defendants Jerry Dean Matlock, 57, of Cherryvale, Kan., Aaron Benson, 50, address unknown, and David M. Russell, 59, address unknown, on numerous occasions. Beltran, Matlock, Benson and Russell have also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

All of the co-defendants must forfeit to the government $809,200, which represents the proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy, for which they are jointly and severally liable. Hernandez must also forfeit to the government the property at 5228 E. Truman Rd., Kansas City, where his car detailing business was located, and his Ford F-150 pickup. Co-defendants must also forfeit to the government six residential properties, a Cadillac Escalade and a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Connelly. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.