A joint investigation by the Riley County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) into a drug trafficking organization operating in the Manhattan and Salina area led to nine convictions for roles in transporting large amounts of methamphetamine into Kansas.
An investigation that began in 2022, the DEA and RCPD concluded that Gonzalo Escobedo, 49, acted as the local leader of the organization that was trafficking illegal substances from suppliers in California and Arizona into Kansas. On two occasions, law enforcement seized 62.9 pounds and 20 pounds of methamphetamine, respectively.
The following defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Debenham prosecuted the case.
• Gonzalo Escobedo, 49, was sentenced to 240 months
• Joseph K. Murdoch, 32, was sentenced to 240 months
• Manuel Meza, 31, was sentenced to 240 months
• Aaron Noonan, 32, was sentenced to 180 months
• Amanda Hubbard, 43, was sentenced to 180 months
• Julisa Esparza, 26, was sentenced to 180 months
• Shelbie Louise Durham, 29, was sentenced to 126 months
• Harley David Blair, 46, was sentenced to 121 months
• Michael Anthony Jones, 51, was sentenced to 77 months
