KC Reporter

Fourteen individuals from the Kansas City, Missouri area have been indicted in connection with a drug-trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl and methamphetamine. The federal grand jury returned an eighty-count indictment under seal on July 16, which was unsealed following the arrest of several defendants.

The defendants named in the indictment include Antwan L. Fayne, also known as "Twelve," Aaron T. James, Timothy E. Murphy, James E. Barton, Allison R. Shea, Rodney Vaughn, Charles E. Hall, Brad Akins, Joshua A. Kisner, Devion R. McDonald, Ida M. Gates, Cora E. Fayne, Walter L. Brown, and Marcus L. Whitley.

Charges against the defendants encompass maintaining drug-involved premises and distributing controlled substances near public playgrounds in Kansas City. Additional charges involve firearms offenses such as felon in possession of a firearm and possession of firearms related to drug trafficking activities.

"The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations," officials stated. "Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh Ragner and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick are prosecuting the case with investigations conducted by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Kansas City Police Department, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Missouri State Highway Patrol.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.