KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing a firearm.
Russell S. Lawson, 45, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
On Nov. 20, 2017, Lawson pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Lawson admitted that he distributed at least 408.61 grams of pure methamphetamine during the conspiracy.
Undercover law enforcement officers and a confidential source made numerous purchases of methamphetamine from several members of the conspiracy, including Lawson. In his plea agreement, Lawson specifically admitted to a series of drug transactions that occurred at his residence from Nov. 10, 2015, to June 16, 2016.
On Nov. 17, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Lawson’s residence and seized a Browning.22-caliber semi-automatic handgun from Lawson as well as three rifles from his residence. Lawson admitted that he had been in possession of the handgun on Jan. 11, 2016, when he told an undercover officer that he expected to be robbed and hoped that they would come to the house so he could “headshot" them. Officers also discovered additional methamphetamine in the residence.
Lawson is the fifth defendant to be sentenced, among six defendants who have been convicted in this case. William L. Dunkin, 47, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 24, 2018, to 10 years and nine months in federal prison without parole. Derek A.F. Fields, 33, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on Feb. 22, 2018, to four years in federal prison without parole. Tiffani L. Campbell, 40, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on Jan. 31, 2018, to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Barbara L. Daniels, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on Jan. 11, 2018, to three years in federal prison without parole. Paul V. Chavez, 29, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26, 2018.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
