KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In a groundbreaking sweep of the meth trade, 14 defendants have pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in a $4.3 million conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine across Clay, Ray, Clinton, and Buchanan counties.
Acting United States Attorney Tom Larson announced the charges, which involve Sabrena Lynn Morgan, 40, Ryan A. Battagler, 38, Elgin Eugene Dothage, 41, Jason Daniel Davis, 43, Joshua K. Bowers, 33, and Paula Rae Scott, 48, all from Missouri’s Kearney, Liberty, Polo, and Excelsior Springs.
The group was joined by Jose Luis Ruiz-Salazar, 38, Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar, 34, Caleb Dean Hayes, 36, Brian Michael Bowers, 34, Taylor Lee Syas, 25, Gregory Bullock, 48, Anthony Ray Stevenson, 45, Bryan D. Carroll, 28, Rodney Earl King, 51, Franklin Charles Carter, 28, and Jay Harrison Lee Carder, 31.
According to court documents, the conspirators sold $4,359,600 worth of methamphetamine and heroin between 2010 and 2015, with distribution across multiple states. Law enforcement recovered approximately one kilo of methamphetamine during a search warrant executed on Jan. 13, 2015.
The defendants face stiff sentences, with some facing life in prison without parole. Jose and Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar are each set to serve between 10 to 16 years, while Bullock is subject to at least 10 years without parole or up to life.
Sabrena Lynn Morgan and Joshua K. Bowers also face significant penalties for their roles in the conspiracy, including mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years without parole.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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