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United States of America v. Mana Elena Reyes
Date: 04-17-2026
Case Number: 6:23-cr-10081
Judge: Eric F. Melgren
Court: United States District Court for the District of Kansas (Sedgwick County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Wichita
Defendant's Attorney: Mark Sevart
Description:
Wichita, Kansas, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Mana Elena Reyes, 51, of Wichita had multiple discussions about purchasing and selling methamphetamine and fentanyl with an individual she was unaware was an undercover officer with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SGSO). Deputies then followed her as she drove from Kansas to Oklahoma and back. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) conducted a traffic stop and a search of Reyes’ vehicle yielded approximately 115,000 fentanyl pills and more than 4,000 grams of methamphetamine along with heroin, fentanyl powder, and cocaine.
“The United States Sentencing Commission reports that arrests for fentanyl trafficking have steadily increased over the past few years. Upon conviction, the average prison sentence handed down is 74 months, so this defendant will serve more than three times that average,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Our office is extremely pleased with the outcome in this case and will continue to seek stiff penalties for drug trafficking. Illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine, are a scourge and will not be tolerated in our communities.”
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SGSO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case with assistance from the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak prosecuted the case.
Mana Elena Reyes, 51, of Wichita had multiple discussions about purchasing and selling methamphetamine and fentanyl with an individual she was unaware was an undercover officer with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SGSO). Deputies then followed her as she drove from Kansas to Oklahoma and back. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) conducted a traffic stop and a search of Reyes’ vehicle yielded approximately 115,000 fentanyl pills and more than 4,000 grams of methamphetamine along with heroin, fentanyl powder, and cocaine.
“The United States Sentencing Commission reports that arrests for fentanyl trafficking have steadily increased over the past few years. Upon conviction, the average prison sentence handed down is 74 months, so this defendant will serve more than three times that average,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Our office is extremely pleased with the outcome in this case and will continue to seek stiff penalties for drug trafficking. Illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine, are a scourge and will not be tolerated in our communities.”
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SGSO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case with assistance from the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak prosecuted the case.
Outcome:
The Defendant elected to plead guilty.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Mana Elena Reyes?
The outcome was: The Defendant elected to plead guilty.
Which court heard United States of America v. Mana Elena Reyes?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the District of Kansas (Sedgwick County), KS. The presiding judge was Eric F. Melgren.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Mana Elena Reyes?
Plaintiff's attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Wichita. Defendant's attorney: Mark Sevart.
When was United States of America v. Mana Elena Reyes decided?
This case was decided on April 17, 2026.