A federal grand jury in Wichita has indicted Vicente Rodriguez, 45, of Wichita on one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting.
Other indictments announced include John J. Hicks Jr., 38, of Wichita, who faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating that case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting.
Robert D. Veales, 31, also from Wichita, was indicted on one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and two counts of prohibited person in possession of ammunition. ATF is also investigating this case with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak.
Jacob Navarrette, 34, from Wichita was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography. The Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is handling the investigation; Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon is prosecuting.
The indictment involving Jacob Navarrette falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to address child sexual exploitation and abuse using federal, state, and local resources to locate offenders and rescue victims online. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Officials note that an indictment is an allegation only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
