A federal jury Friday convicted a man who was arrested for peddling drugs in a parking lot outside a social service center in downtown Kansas City, Kan., U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Desmond S. Gaines, 35, Kansas City, Mo., was convicted on federal charges of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, marijuana and PCP, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that police responded to a report of a man dressed all in red in the parking lot of the center at 645 Nebraska Ave. in Kansas City, Kan.
As officers pulled into the lot, Gaines got into a white Cadillac Deville. While talking to police, Gaines shoved an officer and ran away carrying a black pouch, authorities said.
During the chase, he threw the pouch onto the roof of a building. When Gaines was arrested, officers recovered the pouch, which contained crack, marijuana and PCP, as well as more than $500 in cash, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. They found a .45 caliber HiPoint handgun in Gaines’ car.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 7. He faces the following potential penalties:
• Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine: Not less than 10 years in federal prison.
• Possession with intent to distribute marijuana: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
• Possession with intent to distribute PCP: Up to 30 years and a fine up to $1 million.
• Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.
• Unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Beall commended the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead for their work on the case.