Federal charges filed against 13 men as a result of ATF undercover investigation in KCK

Thirteen men have been charged with federal firearms violations, drug trafficking or other crimes as a result of an ATF undercover investigation in Kansas City, Kan., U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom and ATF Special Agent In Charge Marino Vidoli announced today.

In addition, four other defendants were charged in state district court in Wyandotte County as a result of the investigation.

Investigators seized 46 firearms as well as cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription drugs and more than $17,500 in cash.

Seven defendants named in grand jury indictments that have been unsealed so far are:

• Filiberto Avalos, 27, ten counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States, ten counts of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, one count of distributing cocaine and five counts of distributing methamphetamine.

• Marty D. Baskin, 30, one count of unlawful possession of ammunition after a felony conviction.

• Rene A. Espinoza, 27, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States.

• Antonio Campos Morales, 30, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States.

• Michael Wuellner, Jr., 27, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of distributing cocaine, four counts of unlawfully possessing a firearm after a felony conviction and three counts of distributing methamphetamine,

• Jerrade D. Wilhelm, 19, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, three counts of distributing cocaine, eight counts of unlawfully possessing a firearm after a felony conviction and two counts of distributing methamphetamine,

• Randall J. Chapman, 43, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and 13 counts of distributing crack cocaine.

Names of six other defendants have not been released.

• Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:Possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

• Unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

• Distributing cocaine: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.

• Distributing methamphetamine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.

• Unlawful possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

• Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $10 million.

• Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $5 million.       

The ATF, the DEA, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office investigated.

Assisting with arrests were Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead and Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug are prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.