TOPEKA, KAN. - Eight defendants, including six from Topeka, were indicted Tuesday on federal charges of trafficking $1.7 million worth of powder cocaine in the Topeka area, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Charged are:
- Booker Zachery Johnson, III, 38, Topeka, Kan.
- Quinton “Ron” Warner, 39, Houston, Texas.
- Huey James Love, 57, Grandview, Mo.
- Shanae Ransom, 30, Topeka, Kan.
- Christopher McMillon, 32, Topeka, Kan.
- Frederick Brooks, 35, Topeka, Kan.
- Brannon Smith, 37, Topeka, Kan.
- Trena L. Talbert, 48, Topeka, Kan.
The conspiracy is alleged to have existed from October 2014 to July 9, 2015, in Topeka and elsewhere. In addition, Johnson and Warner each are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
The indictment seeks the forfeiture of more than $73,000 in cash seized on July 9, 2015, and asks the court for a money judgment of $1.7 million against the defendants, which represents the proceeds of the crime.
If convicted, the defendants face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on the conspiracy charge.
The possession charges carry a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.
The Topeka Police Department, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, the Lawrence Police Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag are prosecuting.
The are innocent until proven guilty.
