Kansas Man Gets 36.5 Years in Federal Drug Case

KANSAS CITY, KS—A Kansas City, Kan., man who was part of a drug trafficking ring that tried to take over the neighborhood around 20th Street and Longwood Avenue has been sentenced to 36.5 years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Mark A. Brooks, 34, Kansas City, Kan., was convicted in a jury trial on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine; one count of conspiracy to maintain a residence at 2632 N. 20th Street in furtherance of drug trafficking; and one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of Northwest Middle School.

Brooks was one of 17 defendants indicted as a result of Operation Camera Shy. The indictment alleged the traffickers distributed more than $4 million worth of cocaine and crack on Kansas City streets. During the operation, investigators used undercover buyers and electronic surveillance to shadow the traffickers.

Grissom commended the following agencies for their work on the case: The FBI; the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department; the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department; the Lee’s Summit Police Department; the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department; the Leavenworth Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt.

Drug Trafficking Boss in Kansas City, Kansas Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison

KANSAS CITY, KS—The leader of a drug trafficking ring that tried to take over the neighborhood around 20th and Longwood in Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced Monday to 25 years in federal prison, said U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

Antonio D. Quinn, 32, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. In his plea, he admitted he was the leader of a drug trafficking organization targeted by local and federal law enforcement agencies in an investigation named Operation Camera Shy. Quinn owned houses in the area around 20th and Longwood that he and other conspirators used for distributing crack cocaine. Other conspirators paid him in money or drugs for using his houses.

In his plea, Quinn agreed to the forfeit his claims to property including 2648 N. 21st, 2636 N. 20th, 2635 N. 20th, 2632 N. 20th, 2111 N. 49th, 2016 N. 27th and 619 N. Garfield in Kansas City, Kan. He also agreed to a money judgment against him of more than $4.2 million.

Also sentenced Monday were:

■Lavaughn J. Brown, 32, Kansas City, Kan., who was sentenced to 262 months and a forfeiture money judgment of more than $4.2 million.

■Steven L. Quinn, 35, Kansas City, Kan., who was sentenced to 240 months and a forfeiture money judgment of more than $4.2 million.

■Rocquel Jones-Quinn, 38, Kansas City, Kan., who was sentenced to 84 months and a $50,000 money judgment.

■Juan D. Lopez, 32, Kansas City, Mo., who was sentenced to five years probation including two years home confinement.

■Dale E. Talley, 55, Shawnee, Kan., who was sentenced to four years probation including six months home confinement, a $15,000 money judgment and a $10,000 fine.

■Ruth A. Alvarado-Lopez, 26, Kansas City, Mo., who was sentenced to two years probation.

Investigators used undercover buyers and electronic surveillance to shadow the traffickers. Evidence showed the traffickers were watching the police, too. In Dale Talley’s plea, he admitted police intercepted phone calls in which he warned his fellow traffickers about a blue van “full of police” he spotted in the neighborhood. In another instance, Talley called to warn Antonio Quinn that Quinn was being followed by a gray car. The car was being used by police for surveillance. In another instance, Talley called Antonio Quinn to warn him that a police tactical team was closing in on him. “Shut everything down in the hood,” Talley was recorded saying.

Grissom commended the following agencies for their work on the case: The FBI; the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department; the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department; the Lee’s Summit Police Department; the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department; the Leavenworth Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt.

Lee's Summit Man Charged with Parental Kidnapping Following Amber Alert

KANSAS CITY, MO—Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lee's Summit man was charged in federal court today with parental kidnapping after taking his non-custodial children to Canada.

Steven M. Evans, 35, of Lee's Summit, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., with taking two minor children to Canada with the intention to obstruct the lawful exercise of the parental rights of their mother and his ex-wife, Kelly Evans. Steven Evans remains in custody during his transport to the Western District of Missouri. An initial court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

According to an affidavit that was filed in support of today's complaint, an Amber alert was issued on Saturday, April 9, 2011. Steven Evans' mother, who was responsible for supervising his visitation with the children, contacted police and reported that he and the two children were missing. Under court order, Kelly Evans has sole legal custody of the children and they reside with her, except when Steven Evans has supervised visitation. The last time they were seen was about 10:30 p.m. the night before, and Steven Evans had not contacted either Kelly Evans or his mother. Investigators learned that he had withdrawn $1,000 from his bank account on Friday, April 8, 2011.

On the same day, Canadian authorities contacted law enforcement officers and stated that they had stopped Steven Evans, along with the children, at the border. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jack Grate issued an arrest warrant for child abduction.

Phillips cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Tabor. It was investigated by the Lee's Summit, Mo., Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Canada Border Services Agency.