Fulton Woman Pleads Guilty to $2M K2 Money Laundering Scam

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Fulton’s Dara Leanne Shirley, 30, has pleaded guilty in federal court for her role in a massive $2 million money-laundering conspiracy, authorities reported.

Shirley, along with others, ran Inscentives Auto and Inscentives Resale, where they sold synthetic cannabinoids, also known as K2, at locations in Fulton and Auxvasse. She admitted to conspiring to conduct financial transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activity from December 18, 2012, to July 16, 2015.

According to the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, Tammy Dickinson, Shirley’s scheme was designed to promote illegal distribution and conceal the source of the drugs’ proceeds. She also admitted paying at least $1,986,442 for synthetic cannabinoids.

This plea marks the third defendant to admit guilt in this case. Casey Dewayne Miller, 32, from Columbia, and Billie L. Bruce, 36, from Jefferson City, both pleaded guilty previously to distributing synthetic cannabinoids.

Miller was caught selling K2 to an undercover officer at Inscentives Resale on July 16, 2015, where he also sold a loaded Ruger .40-caliber handgun. Bruce admitted selling K2 at S&J Tobacco in Holts Summit and was seized with over two pounds of the drug and a Hi-Point .40-caliber handgun.

Under terms of her plea agreement, Shirley faces between 63 to 78 months in prison, pending a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. The case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver and investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies.