By Ron Sylvester
The Wichita Eagle
WICHITA, Kan. Six months worth of drug sales may have netted a group of men more than $1 million, according to a federal indictment unsealed today in Wichita.
Federal, state and local authorities have arrested four of the seven men accused of running a drug ring in which authorities are seeking to seize $1.3 million in proceeds and real estate. Prosecutors say the group sold methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
Charged are:
• Thomas J. Fernandez, 31, Wichita
• Marco Guerrero, 32, Wichita
• Richard Sebbo, 36, Andover
• Justin Matthews, 28, Wichita
• Joshua Corral, 27, Wichita
• Christopher Holmes, 24, Wichita
• Michael Ko, 33, Leavenworth, Kan.
Fernandez, Sebbo, Matthews and Holmes were arrested Thursday in a sweep by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol, Haysville Police Department and Butler County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities also executed search warrants and seized more than 2 pounds of methamphetamine, five loaded firearms, including an assault rifle, and $35,000 cash.
In the indictment, prosecutors are also trying to seize real estate they say was used in the drug conspiracy, including 722 W. Hendryx; 821 Maple, 1133 E. 31st St. South; 2410 S. Laurel; 236 N. Green; 3559 S. Clifton; 816 and 818 S. Crestway; 848 and 850 S. Crestway; 2030, 2032 and 2034 S. Gold; 419 S. Osage; 2810 N. Tee Time, 2435 S. Dalton; and 419 S. Osage.
The charges say the conspiracy existed from Nov. 1, 2006, through May 1, 2007.
The four men in custody are set for a first appearance Monday.
“This investigation... is an example of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working together with the common goal of making Wichita a safer place to live and work,” Preston Grubbs, DEA special agent in charge, St. Louis Field Division Office, said in a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Copyright 2008 The Wichita Eagle