A Kansas City man has been convicted of murder and drug trafficking after a federal jury found him guilty of multiple charges.
Shawn Burkhalter, also known as ‘Deuce,’ 34, was found guilty of two counts of murder resulting from the use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of murdering a potential witness.
He was also convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, one count of robbery, two counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and a drug-trafficking crime, one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of conspiracy to commit witness and evidence tampering, and one count of evidence tampering.
Under federal statutes, Burkhalter is subject to life in federal prison without parole.
The evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Burkhalter participated in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana from 2008 to Feb. 20, 2018.
On Sept. 10, 2015, Burkhalter and Joshua Nesbitt stole cocaine from Danny Lamont Dean, and in the process of that robbery, shot and killed Dean with a Rock River Arms AR-15, 5.56-caliber semi-automatic rifle.
On Oct. 4, 2015, Nesbitt and others stole marijuana from Anthony Dwayne Johnson, and in the process of that robbery, Nesbitt shot and killed Johnson with the same Rock River Arms AR-15, 5.56-caliber semi-automatic rifle, at the direction of Burkhalter.
Both of those murders were committed ‘willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation and malice aforethought, and in the perpetration of, and attempt to perpetrate, a robbery,’ as charged in the indictment.
Sharika Hooker and Autry Hines, both of Kansas City, Mo.; Joslyn Lee, also known as ‘Bless,’ and Nickayla Jones, both of Blue Springs, Mo.; Rachel Ryce of Raytown, Mo.; and Anthony Peltier, also known as ‘A-1,’ of Lawrence, Kansas, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Edwards and David Wagner. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Sentencing hearings for Burkhalter will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Defendant: Shawn Burkhalter
Criminal Charges: Murder resulting from the use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and a drug-trafficking crime; Murdering a potential witness; Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana; Possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute; Possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute; Robbery; Discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and a drug-trafficking crime; Brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; Being a felon in possession of a firearm; Conspiracy to commit witness and evidence tampering; Evidence tampering
City and State: Kansas City, Missouri
Date: August 7, 2023
Sentence: Life in federal prison without parole
Case #:
Related Federal Cases
- Bryan Patton Tullous, Meth Trafficking, Missouri 2023 · Idaho
- Michael Allen Dicks Jr., Meth Trafficking, Missouri 2020 · Idaho
- Joshua Sangrait, Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Missouri 2018 · California
- Patrick Maldonado, Interstate Marijuana Trafficking, California 2023 · Kansas
- Titus Sanders, Distribution of Heroin, Kansas 2021 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug Trafficking|Violent CrimeDrug Trafficking|Violent CrimeDrug Trafficking|Violent CrimeDrug Trafficking|Violent Crime