United States Drug Enforcement Administration

TOPEKA, Kan. – A Topeka man was indicted in federal court today with distributing heroin.

James Licht, 39, was charged with one count of distributing heroin and one count of unlawful possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.

According to documents filed in court, investigators served a search warrant in October at Licht’s residence in the 1400 block of SW 5th Street in Topeka. Among the items seized were heroin, more than $1,500 in cash, a .45 caliber pistol, a 9 mm pistol, other firearms and drug paraphernalia.

Licht was paying $1,500 to $2,000 an ounce to buy one to two ounces of heroin each week.

Licht was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a felony conviction in 2019 in Shawnee County (Kan.) District Court.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on the heroin charge, and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Kansas City District Office, and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated the case.

Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.