Charges filed against 14 believed to be involved in Kansas City drug trafficking ring

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Federal charges have been filed against 14 individuals believed to be involved in a drug trafficking ring that operated near a Kansas City park.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri announced on Thursday, July 17, that 14 defendants have been indicted for their roles in a Kansas City drug trafficking ring.

Court documents indicated the 80-count indictment was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Wednesday. The accused include:

• Antwan L. Fayne, a.k.a. “Twelve,” 43
• Aaron T. James, 37
• Timothy E. Murphy, 59
• James E. Barton, 46
• Allison R. Shea, 30
• Rodney Vaughn, 60
• Charles E. Hall, 40
• Brad Akins, 38
• Joshua A. Kisner, 38
• Devion R. McDonald, 31
• Ida M. Gates, 41
• Cora E. Fayne, 69
• Walter L. Brown, 61
• Marcus L. Whitley, 54

Prosecutors noted that the indictment was sealed on Thursday following the arrest of several defendants. It replaces three criminal complaints filed against six defendants earlier this month.

Additionally, court records showed that there are 6 defendants charged with maintaining a drug house. There are 16 counts related to the distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 ft. of a public playground and several firearms offenses.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh Ragner and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick. It remains under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Kansas City Police Department; the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit; the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

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