United States Drug Enforcement Administration

KANSAS CITY, MO – A Missouri man who admitted to conspiring to launder more than $1 million in drug proceeds was sentenced Thursday to 216 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, and the Jackson County Missouri Drug Task Force.

Juan Duarte-Tello, 47, Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. In his plea, Duarte-Tello admitted he personally handled more than a $1 million in drug trafficking proceeds for a drug trafficking organization that was distributing methamphetamine in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. During the conspiracy, investigators had Duarte-Tello under electronic surveillance. He arranged for cash derived from drug trafficking to be funneled into bank accounts in California.