KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Eight defendants were convicted Thursday on charges they were part of a drug trafficking organization that did more than $20 million worth of business distributing marijuana in metropolitan Kansas City, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said
During a trial that began April 8 in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., prosecutors presented evidence that defendant Gladstone McDowell was the leader of a drug trafficking organization with outposts in Phoenix, Ariz., Las Vegas, Nev., Los Angeles, Calif., Kansas City, Kan., Kansas City, Mo., Nashville, Tenn., Paterson, N.J., and Pittsburgh, Penn., as well as other cities in Florida and in the country of Jamaica.
The jury found the following defendants guilty:
Gladstone McDowell, 60, Kansas City, Mo., one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, one count of money laundering and one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute more than 50 kilograms of marijuana.
Dwight Rhone, 40, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Theodore McDowell, 31, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Sheldon McIntosh, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Samora McIntosh, 34, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Ibrahima Kane, 40, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Stephen Blackburn, 44, Antioch, Tenn., one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Delroy Bucklely, one count of money laundering and one count of distributing marijuana.
Co-defendant Michelle Midgyet was acquitted.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the traffickers acquired marijuana from sources of supply based in Arizona, distributing marijuana to cells across the country via shipments sent through parcel services. The traffickers also used parcel services to send bulk currency back to sources of supply in Phoenix. McDowell’s organization laundered money through members using bank accounts based in the United States and in Jamaica.
In July 2007, federal investigators identified large money transfers through the Bank of America, with the majority involving the Kansas City metro area and the Paterson, N.J., metro area. They identified a business called Global Cable Company that was used to launder drug funds. In May 2007 five members of Gladstone’s operation were arrested in Maricopa County, Ariz., and investigators seized more than $200,000 in cash and more than 600 pounds of marijuana. In November 2007, three members of McDowell’s organization were stopped in Goodwell County, Okla. Investigators seized more than $139,000 in cash concealed in their vehicle. In February 2008, Las Vegas police seized more than $366,000 in cash from top boxes at a UPS store. In May 2008, investigators seized $150,000 on three Fed Ex packages in Marietta, Calif.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 12.
Other defendants in the case include:
Curtis Pitter, who pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Tamary Brown, who is set for sentencing July 5.
Marlon Forrester, who is set for sentencing July 18.
Radell Bradford, who is set for sentencing July 18
Mechieen McDowell, who is set for sentencing July 18.
Deidre Turner, who is set for sentencing July 18.
Michael Williams, who is set for sentencing June 3.
Rita Holmes-Buckley, who is set for sentencing July 5.
Eulet King, who is set for sentencing July 18.
Keesha McDowell
