Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
A federal jury in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has convicted Morgan Ashley Kirby, 20, on charges of drug conspiracy and attempted possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The case involved more than 46 pounds of methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson stated, "Conspiring with others to deliver drugs onto the streets of the Northern District of Oklahoma will never be tolerated." He praised law enforcement in Texas and Tulsa for their cooperation in apprehending the defendants before they could complete their delivery.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez commented on the arrest and conviction: "The arrest and conviction of Ms. Kirby and her associates made our community safer and prevented further destruction that methamphetamine trafficking can bring to the citizens of Tulsa, Oklahoma."
The investigation began in June 2024 when Texas Department of Public Safety troopers stopped a driver for traffic violations. During a search, they found a suitcase containing 21 plastic bags with a substance believed to be methamphetamine. The driver was reportedly paid $4,000 to deliver the drugs to Tulsa.
DEA agents confirmed the substance as methamphetamine but replaced it with fake methamphetamine before allowing the driver to proceed with the transaction. The driver then met Luis Enrique Rios-Soriano and Morgan Kirby for payment and delivered the fake drugs for distribution.
Subsequently, Oklahoma Highway Patrol stopped Rios-Soriano's vehicle, where Kirby was a passenger. Troopers discovered over 46 pounds of fake methamphetamine and cash inside.
Kirby's co-defendants have also pled guilty: Feliciano Ortega-Banderas admitted to attempted distribution of methamphetamine while Rios-Soriano pled guilty to drug conspiracy and attempted possession with intent to distribute.
All three individuals remain in U.S. Marshal custody awaiting sentencing before being transferred to federal prison facilities. As Rios-Soriano is not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings post-sentencing.
The case was investigated by several agencies including DEA's Tulsa and Amarillo Resident Offices, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Bailey and Christian Harris led the prosecution efforts.
