Jose Rios-Morales, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Kansas 2015

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Kansas man Jose Rios-Morales has been sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking.

Rios-Morales, 42, was sentenced on Wednesday to 292 months in federal prison. He was convicted in a jury trial in October 2015 on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Rios-Morales was a member of a drug trafficking organization headed by his partner and co-defendant, Felipe Sifuentes-Cabrera. Rios-Morales assisted Sifuentes in many ways, including introducing Sifuentes to the methamphetamine supplier, driving to California to pick up loads of methamphetamine, packing methamphetamine for shipping, managing the collection of drug proceeds, and wiring money to the organization’s methamphetamine supplier.

The drug trafficking organization, led by Rios-Morales and Sifuentes, was responsible for distributing over 4.5 kilograms of “ice” methamphetamine from February 1, 2014, to November 4, 2014.

Rios-Morales was arrested on November 4, 2014 after he met with Sifuentes at an Olathe, Kan., residence to assist in unloading a car in which 13 pounds of 99-100 percent pure methamphetamine had been concealed.

Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall commended the Canadian County, Okla., Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Olathe, Kan., Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Ward for their work on the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/kansas-drug-trafficker-sentenced-24-years