Date: 01-29-2018

Case Style:

Case Number: 5:15-cr-06004-DGK

Judge: Greg Kays

Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (Jackson County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Matthew Aaron M

Defendant's Attorney: Dawn Parsons

Description: Kansas City, MO - Excelsior Springs Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison

Among Eight Defendants Sentenced for $4.3 Million Meth, Heroin Conspiracy


eight more defendants were sentenced this week for their roles in a $4.3 million conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin throughout Jackson, Clay, Ray, Clinton and Buchanan counties.



Anthony Ray Stevenson, 46, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, to 22 years and six months in federal prison without parole.



Taylor Lee Syas, 25, of Polo, Mo., was sentenced today to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole.



Paula Rae Scott, 48, of Excelsior Springs, and Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar, 35, and Bryan D. Carroll, 29, both of Kansas City, Mo., were sentenced on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2018. Scott was sentenced to four years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. Ruiz-Salazar was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Carroll was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison without parole.



Ryan A. Battagler, 39, of Kearney, Mo., and Franklin Charles Carter, also known as “Frankie,” 28, of Grandview, Mo., were also sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Battagler was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole. Carter was sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole.



Marion Eugene Brammer, 53, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, to six years and three months in federal prison without parole.



In 2010, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and the DEA initiated an investigation into a drug-trafficking organization distributing methamphetamine in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. Jose Luis Ruiz-Salazar, 39, his brother, Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar (who was sentenced today), and Gregory Bullock, 48, all of Kansas City, Mo., have pleaded guilty to being the primary sources that supplied co-conspirators with large amounts of methamphetamine during the conspiracy. Co-conspirators then distributed the methamphetamine throughout Jackson, Clay, Ray, Clinton and Buchanan counties in Missouri.



According to court documents, conspirators sold $4,359,600 worth of methamphetamine and heroin from 2010 to 2015. That estimate is based on a conservative street price of $1,200 for an ounce of 50 percent pure methamphetamine and the total conspiracy distribution of at least 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, and a conservative street price of $2,500 per ounce of heroin and an overall conspiracy distribution of approximately three pounds.



Six additional defendants have been sentenced after pleading guilty to their roles in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Brian Michael Bowers, 35, of Richmond, Mo., was sentenced to 12 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Gary Dewayne Brown, 37, of Cowgill, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. Ronald Louis Roberts, 54, of Lathrop, Mo., was sentenced to 10 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Brittney James Brehm, 39, of Bland, Mo., was sentenced to six years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. Rodney Earl King, 52, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to five years and two months in federal prison without parole. Darin Gene Berry, 52, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to four years and five months in federal prison without parole.



A dozen co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. In addition to Jose Ruiz-Salazar and Bullock, co-defendants Steven Lee Schreier, Jr., 33, Jason Lee Kirtley, 45, Jackie R. Love, Jr., 60, and William Dean Campbell, 37, all of Excelsior Springs; Jason Daniel Davis, 44, of Liberty, Mo.; Joshua Keith Bowers, 34, of Polo; Sabrena Lynn Morgan, 40, and Elgin Eugene Dothage, also known as “Butch,” 41, both of Kearney; and Caleb Dean Hayes, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., are among 26 defendants indicted in this case who have pleaded guilty.



This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Rhoades, Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Matt Moeder. It was investigated by the Clay County Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Caldwell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and the DEA.

Outcome: See Above

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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