Arraignments were held Monday in federal court in Kansas City, Kansas, for some of 14 defendants charged with marijuana trafficking and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
A federal indictment alleges the defendants smuggled hundreds of pounds of marijuana from California and Colorado to be distributed in Kansas and laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds.
Charges include drug trafficking conspiracy, money laundering, conspiracy, unlawful use of the U.S. Postal Service and maintaining a residence for the purpose of drug trafficking.
The following defendants were charged in a 25-count indictment:
Steven Martinez, 30, Rosamond, California.
Nickolas Vander Bruggen, 28, Hesperia, California.
George Garcia, 31, Rosamond, California.
Alonzo Cooper, 28, Kansas City, Kansas.
Reginald Allen, 26, Kansas City, Kansas.
Kayla Union, 22, Kansas City, Missouri.
Akil Cooper, 26, Lancaster, California.
Marcus Joseph, 31, Lancaster, California.
Dominique Wilson, 24, Kansas City, Kansas.
Mario Zelaya, 27, Los Angeles, California.
Trenton Smith, 29, Aurora, Colorado.
Anthony Daniels, 58, Sacramento, California.
Daya Daniels, 46, Sacramento, California.
Barbara Haynes, 39, Littleton, Colorado.
Upon conviction, the charges carry the following penalties:
• Conspiracy: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million.
• Conspiracy to distribute marijuana: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
• Unlawful use of the Postal Service: Up to four years and a fine up to $250,000.
• Maintaining drug-involved premises: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
• Money laundering: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Unit, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Dubuque (Iowa) Drug Task Force, Kern County (California) Sheriff’s Office and the La Habra (California) Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.