Kevin Lewis, Travis Vontress, Drug Ring, Kansas 2023

A sophisticated prison-based drug trafficking ring operating out of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary has been brought to justice, with the conviction of two Wichita men, Kevin Lewis, 58, and Travis Vontress, 45.

A federal jury found both defendants guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, conspiracy to distribute cocaine powder, maintaining drug involved premises, and unlawful use of a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking. Lewis was also convicted of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, while Vontress was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute powder cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The jury delivered the verdict after a trial that presented court documents and evidence. The case, which involved 21 defendants, including inmates at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, is a significant blow to the organized crime group.

The mastermind behind the operation, Travis Knighten, 49, an inmate serving a 90-year sentence for killing a prison guard in 1993, used cell phones to direct co-conspirators in Wichita in the distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and other illicit drugs. Knighten’s accomplices, all from Wichita, included Richard Adams, 29, David Bell, 48, Frederick Collins, 49, Byron Fitchpatrick, 47, Eric Goodwin, 55, Dorzee Hill, 42, Santoria Hill, 53, Orlando Hogan, 46, Derek Hubbard, 46, Mario Ponds, 41, Otis Ponds, 43, Robert Richmond, 50, Kimberly Schmidtberger, 40, Shamtus Smallwood, 48, Kevin Walker, 56, Tia Ward, 42, Eddie Washington, 62, Trevor Wells, 41, and Dallas Williams, 40.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Wichita Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Barton County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Postal Service, Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Marshal Service, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak prosecuted the case. U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard praised the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved, saying, 'This sophisticated criminal organization went to great lengths to conceal their illegal activities from law enforcement such as using code words for various narcotics and street names instead of actual names. These court convictions show that as criminals work to evade the law, there are prosecutors and law enforcement agencies working just as hard to bring them to justice.'

Lewis and Vontress are scheduled for sentencing on June 22, 2023.

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