KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In a shocking turn of events, a Lee’s Summit couple, Howard Christian Walters, also known as ‘Chris,’ 41, and his wife, Nina Walter, 37, both of Lee’s Summit, have been indicted alongside 12 others for their roles in a $62 million conspiracy to distribute more than 2,000 kilograms of cocaine.
The indictment, which was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of most of the defendants, alleges that the group participated in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine from October 2013 to Nov. 15, 2018.
The 20-count indictment charges Howard Walters, Jose Luis Armendariz-Rascon, also known as ‘Uncle’ or ‘Rambo,’ 38, and Jesus Salvador Campoy-Estrada, also known as ‘Chava’ or ‘Chavita,’ 24, both citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Kan., with participating in the conspiracy.
Howard Walters is also charged with seven counts of distributing cocaine. He is also charged with Campoy-Estrada, Mark High, 52, and Antonio Starks-Fewell, 33, in one count of aiding and abetting the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and in one count of aiding and abetting the possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
The indictment also alleges that Howard and Nina Walters, Campoy-Estrada, Franciso Gastelum-Valdez, 51, of Overland Park, Kan., and Louis Walker, 47, of Richmond, Mo., participated in a money-laundering conspiracy during the same timeframe, from October 2013 to Nov. 15, 2018.
Howard Walters is charged with three counts of money laundering for allegedly purchasing a 2017 Dodge Ram pickup truck and a 2013 Suzuki motorcycle, and the lease of a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550, with the proceeds of drug trafficking. Howard Walters and Walker are also charged together in one count of money laundering for allegedly purchasing a 2011 Porsche Panamera with the proceeds of drug trafficking.
The indictment also contains forfeiture allegations, which would require Jose Armendariz-Rascon to forfeit at least $62.4 million, which was received in exchange for the unlawful distribution of cocaine (based on a sale price of $30,000 per kilogram of cocaine and distribution of no less than 10 kilograms of cocaine per week for a period of at least four years).
The defendants, who are facing a range of charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and money laundering, are required to forfeit to the government a money judgment in the amount of the proceeds received in exchange for the unlawful distribution of cocaine and four residential properties, including Howard and Nina Walters’s residence in Lee’s Summit and Campoy-Estrada’s residence in Kansas City.
The indictment is a significant blow to the group, who are accused of being involved in one of the largest cocaine conspiracies in recent history. The case is ongoing, and the defendants are expected to face a range of penalties if convicted.
Defendant Information:
1. **Howard Christian Walters**, 41, also known as ‘Chris,’ of Lee’s Summit, Mo., is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Distribution of Cocaine, Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, and Money Laundering.
2. **Nina Walter**, 37, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Money Laundering.
3. **Jose Luis Armendariz-Rascon**, 38, also known as ‘Uncle’ or ‘Rambo,’ of Kansas City, Kan., is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.
4. **Jesus Salvador Campoy-Estrada**, 24, also known as ‘Chava’ or ‘Chavita,’ of Kansas City, Kan., is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, and Money Laundering.
5. **Mark High**, 52, of Springfield, Mo., is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute.
6. **Antonio Starks-Fewell**, 33, of Springfield, Mo., is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute.
7. **Louis Walker**, 47, of Richmond, Mo., is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Money Laundering.
8. **Franciso Gastelum-Valdez**, 51, of Overland Park, Kan., is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Money Laundering.
9. **Miguel Armendariz-Rascon**, 30, of Olathe, Kan., is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.
10. **Jose Luis Armendariz-Rascon**, 38, also known as ‘Uncle’ or ‘Rambo,’ of Kansas City, Kan., is charged with Forfeiture.
11. **Pamela Salais**, 30, of El Paso, Texas, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.
12. **Luisa Maria Salais**, 28, of El Paso, Texas, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.
13. **Armando Rosales, Jr.**, 29, of San Elizario, Texas, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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