KC Reporter

A Kansas City, Mo., man, Edgar A. Mejia, has been found guilty by a jury of one count each of conspiracy to distribute heroin and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. The conviction comes after law enforcement officers discovered a significant amount of heroin and firearms hidden in Mejia's recreational vehicle.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Mejia's recreational vehicle was searched on October 10, 2022, while he was in custody in Oklahoma for drug trafficking. Investigators received information that additional drugs and firearms were concealed in his RV, leading to a search where 541 grams of heroin, a handgun, a rifle, and ammunition were found hidden behind a wall in the kitchen.

The jury deliberated for approximately three and a half hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Greg Kays. Mejia had previously pleaded guilty to charges related to the possession of heroin and firearms found in the RV.

Mejia, who has prior felony convictions, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, with a maximum sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The sentencing will be determined by the court based on advisory guidelines and other statutory factors after a presentence investigation.

The prosecution of the case involved Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashleigh A. Ragner and Robert M. Smith, along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Jennings. The investigation was carried out by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Kansas City Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The initiative focuses on trust-building, supporting violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and result measurement.