A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been indicted on federal firearms and drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Pablo Martinez, 42, Kansas City, Kansas, was charged in the case.
Court documents alleged the investigation began when law enforcement received a complaint from Balls Food Inc. that one of its employees was distributing marijuana. Investigators identified Martinez as the employee’s supplier.
He faces one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
When the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped Martinez’s car for a traffic violation, a trooper found a .45 caliber handgun and more than a quarter pound of marijuana in the car, according to the indictment. Martinez denied selling marijuana. He told investigators he himself smoked about a quarter pound of marijuana every five days.
If convicted, he could face a penalty not less than five years in federal prison on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, up to 10 years and fine up to $250,000 on the other firearm charge and up five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the marijuana charge.
The FBI, the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.