Rodriguez-Rivera Indicted

A massive methamphetamine conspiracy has been uncovered in the Kansas City area, with 10 residents indicted for their roles in distributing at least 100 pounds of the illicit substance. The indictment, which was unsealed following the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants, alleges that the conspiracy took place from January 1, 2013, to December 13, 2016.

At the center of the conspiracy is Juan Rodriguez-Rivera, also known as “Juan Carillo,” “Armando Garcia,” and “Luis Rodrigues,” a 32-year-old citizen of Mexico. Rodriguez-Rivera, along with nine other defendants, is charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and a money-laundering conspiracy during the same time period.

The other defendants named in the indictment are Rafael Elodaid Baylon-Palma, also known as “Eli,” 27, Mauricio Daniel Dominguez, 34, and Rolando Segura, age unknown, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Jesus David Baylon-Palma, also known as “Raul,” “Fathead,” and “Primo,” 29, and Esmeralda Contreras-Fernandez, 27, both of Raytown, Mo.; Jose Carlos Baylon-Carrasco, age unknown, a citizen of Mexico residing in Grandview, Mo., Eduardo Luna-Avina, 26, a citizen of Mexico, and Jose Santana-Chavez, 36, both of Kansas City, Kan., and Rory Sanchez, 32, address unknown.

The indictment contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy, including a money judgment of $700,000 (based on a sale price of $7,000 per pound of methamphetamine and distribution of at least 100 pounds of methamphetamine), a 2007 Land Rover, a 2008 Ford F-250, a 2010 Ford TCN van and a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado.

In addition to the drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies, Rodriguez-Rivera is charged with illegally entering the United States after previously being deported following his conviction in Kansas for possessing cocaine. Sanchez is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and with being a felon in possession of a firearm, after allegedly being found with a loaded AA Arms 9mm assault pistol.

U.S. Attorney Tammy Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades and was investigated by the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.

The investigation and subsequent indictment are a significant blow to the methamphetamine trade in the Kansas City area. The defendants face serious charges and potential penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and significant fines. As the case moves forward, it will be important to monitor the developments and see how the defendants respond to the allegations.