A Kansas City, Kan., man has been sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison for drug trafficking, acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Jose Rios-Morales, 42, Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced Wednesday to 292 months in federal prison. He was convicted in a jury trial in October 2015 on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Rios-Morales was a member of a drug trafficking organization headed by his partner and co-defendant,Felipe Sifuentes-Cabrera. Rios-Morales assisted Sifuentes in many ways including introducing Sifuentes to the methamphetamine supplier, driving to California to pick up loads of methamphetamine, packing methamphetamine for shipping, managing the collection of drug proceeds, and wiring money to the organization’s methamphetamine supplier. Rios-Morales and Sifuentes’ drug trafficking organization was determined to be responsible for distributing over 4.5 kilograms of “ice” methamphetamine from Feb. 1, 2014, to Nov. 4, 2014.
Rios-Morales was arrested on Nov. 4, 2014, after he met with Sifuentes at an Olathe, Kan., residence to assist in unloading a car in which 13 pounds of 99-100 percent pure methamphetamine had been concealed. Rios-Morales andSifuentes arranged for the car to be sent from California to Kansas via a car hauler. The vehicle was intercepted by the Canadian County, Okla., Sheriff’s department and delivered to Kansas
Sifuentes pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
Beall commended the Canadian County, Okla., Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Olathe, Kan., Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Ward for their work on the case.