KC Man Sentenced for Trafficking Crack Cocaine

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing crack cocaine to distribute.

James E. Lee, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole.

On Dec. 10, 2018, Lee pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute. Lee admitted that he sold crack cocaine to an undercover police detective and a confidential informant on three occasions. On July 26, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Lee’s residence. Lee jumped out a second story window when officers entered the residence and was taken into custody after a short foot chase. Officers seized a Springfield .40-caliber handgun, a Taurus .45-caliber revolver, 18 grams of crack cocaine, $710 (found in the same kitchen cabinet as the crack cocaine), and two digital scales.

Lee has five prior felony convictions for distributing crack cocaine, including a prior federal conviction.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.