Robert Ryan Hicks, Meth Conspiracy, Missouri 2018

A 36-year-old Belton man has been handed a hefty prison sentence for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in north central Missouri.

Robert Ryan Hicks was sentenced to 17 years and seven months in federal prison without parole for his involvement in the conspiracy, which involved the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Hicks pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy and to possessing firearms in relation to drug trafficking on December 4, 2017. The investigation into the conspiracy began in December 2014, with the Northwest Inter-agency Team Response Operation (NITRO) leading the charge.

Police officers in Grandview, Missouri, stopped Hicks on two occasions in 2015, once on January 20, 2015, when he was found in possession of 39.46 grams of pure methamphetamine, and again on February 3, 2015, when he was found with a Hi-Point 9mm pistol and a Cobra .380-caliber pistol.

Hicks supplied a co-defendant with 27.6 grams of pure methamphetamine to sell to an undercover law enforcement officer on May 22, 2015.

Hicks is just one of six defendants who have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in this case. Others include Ryan Peter Trombley, who was sentenced to 11 years and six months in federal prison; Alicia Marie Grimes, who received a year and a day in federal prison; Christopher John Vaccaro, who was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison; Crystal Renee Breshears, who received five years and 10 months in federal prison; and Allen Ray Watson, who was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

Co-defendant Faron Wayne Lawrence also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and NITRO leading the investigation.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/belton-man-sentenced-17-years-meth-conspiracy-northern-missouri