KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced Monday to 12 years in federal prison for his part in a drug trafficking organization that is alleged to have distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Joshua Thomas Alvarez, 26, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, he admitted that in July 2012 the FBI identified a major drug trafficking ring operating in Kansas City, Kan.
During the investigation, agents made 15 controlled purchases of methamphetamine from members of the organization.
Five search warrants were executed at locations where methamphetamine and firearms were stored.
Alvarez was identified as one of the conspirators who purchased methamphetamine from the leader of the organization and resold it.
Co-defendants include:
Vicencio Olea-Monarez, 38, Kansas City, Kan., who is awaiting trial.
Gabriel Agustin Lopez, 30, who is set for sentencing June 27.
Rosalio Chinchilla, 45, Kansas City, Kan., who is set for sentencing June 15.
Jose Luis Silva-Cardona, 26, Kansas City, Mo., who is set for sentencing June 13.
Lee Thomas Faulkner, 41, Topeka, Kan., who is set for sentencing July 5.
Omar Francisco Orduno-Ramirez, 37, who is awaiting trial.
Hector Javier Valdez, 36, who is awaiting trial.
Juan Carlos Alvarez, 28, who is set for sentencing June 15.
Herbert Lee Saysoff, 54, who is awaiting trial.
Grissom commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel for their work on the case.
