Belton Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Meth Conspiracy in Northern Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Belton, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in north central Missouri and for illegally possessing firearms.

Robert Ryan Hicks, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 17 years and seven months in federal prison without parole.

On Dec. 4, 2017, Hicks pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to possessing firearms in relation to drug trafficking. Hicks admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine during the conspiracy.

NITRO (the Northwest Inter-agency Team Response Operation) initiated an investigation in Grundy County, Mo., in December 2014 that focused on methamphetamine distribution in the north central region of Missouri, with sources of supply in the Kansas City, Mo., metropolitan area.

Hicks was stopped by Grandview, Mo., police officers on two occasions in 2015. On Jan. 20, 2015, he was in possession of 39.46 grams of pure methamphetamine, as well as pills and marijuana. On Feb. 3, 2015, he was in possession of a Hi-Point 9mm pistol and a Cobra .380-caliber pistol. On May 22, 2015, Hicks supplied a co-defendant with 27.6 grams of pure methamphetamine to sell to an undercover law enforcement officer.

Hicks is among six defendants who have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in this case. Ryan Peter Trombley, 33, of Trenton, Mo., was sentenced to 11 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Alicia Marie Grimes,50, of Trenton, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison without parole. Christopher John Vaccaro, 42, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison without parole. Crystal Renee Breshears, 27, of Belton, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Allen Ray Watson, 45, of Blue Springs, Mo., was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole.

Co-defendant Faron Wayne Lawrence, 51, of Trenton, also has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and NITRO (the Northwest Missouri Interagency Team Response Operation).