United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WICHITA, KAN. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas (USAO-KS) and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced the results of Operation Iron Sights, a violent crime initiative conducted in the Wichita-Sedgwick County area from July 13 - September 16, 2026.

U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser and ATF Director Robert Cekada held a joint press conference in Wichita accompanied by partner agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), Wichita Police Department (WPD), and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SGSO). The Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) provided funding support.

“An advantage of securing federal indictments against defendants facing firearms and drug trafficking charges is that certain federal charges come with mandatory minimum sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “A mandatory minimum sentence assures that if individuals are convicted of these dangerous crimes, they will not be back out on the streets in no time.”

“Our crime gun intelligence capabilities at Wichita State University support investigations across the nation, and Operation Iron Sight shows the impact right here in Wichita. This operation targeted 34 suspects and seized nearly 60 firearms. Multiple suspects had prior felony convictions. The charges include firearms trafficking, illegal machinegun possession, and trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine,” said ATF Director Robert Cekada. “These cases are about protecting people from armed, violent criminals and the devastation they leave behind, including a suspect accused of assaulting one of our ATF agents with a firearm. Attacking our people will not intimidate us or weaken our resolve. I’m proud of our ATF personnel and our state, local, and federal partners for building these cases and standing shoulder to shoulder to hold offenders accountable. If you arm criminals, commit violent crimes, or poison our communities, we will find you and work relentlessly to put you behind bars.”

Operation Iron Sights was a collaborative effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute dozens of defendants accused of firearms and drug trafficking-related crimes. During this operation, law enforcement seized 58 firearms, approximately 6.75 kilograms of narcotics, and approximately $13,000 in U.S. currency.

“Fentanyl and firearms create a lethal combination, which is why drug trafficking enterprises are extreme threats to public safety,” DEA St. Louis Field Division Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer said. “These offenses are far from victimless, and today we stand with our law enforcement partners in recognition that justice is being served.”

“Operation Iron Sights reflects the strength of law enforcement working together as one to protect our community,” Sheriff Jeff Easter said. “When federal, state and local agencies unite, we are better positioned to hold violent offenders accountable and make Sedgwick County safer.”

“The FBI is proud to join our partners in the announcement of results from Operation Iron Sights. We stand committed to working with our partners across Kansas to ensure that our communities are safe from gun and drug violence,” said Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge.
Major Robert Keener of the Kansas Highway Patrol said, “The Kansas Highway Patrol was proud to work alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in Operation Iron Sights. Collaborative efforts like this demonstrate the shared commitment to working together to protect our communities and enhance public safety.”

As a result of the meticulous investigations and thorough surveillance operations carried out by law enforcement, USAO-KS secured 13 federal grand jury indictments that include a total 34 defendants. Some of the defendants charged as part of Operation Iron Sights are:

• Lafayette Washington, 46, is a convicted felon also known as “Dirty Dot Com” and the alleged leader of a drug trafficking ring in Wichita. He and other members of his operation were indicted on methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking and firearms related offenses. Members of Washington’s operation are accused of being connected to an overdose in August 2026 that resulted in serious bodily injury to a minor victim.
• Carey Watts, 20, was indicted for allegedly using a firearm to attack an ATF agent back in July 2026 while the officer was performing his duties.
• Jeffrey Muldrow, 41, faces charges for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon and is accused of supplying firearms to other people knowing that the weapons would be used to commit crimes. He was also indicted for fentanyl trafficking.
• Morkeuz McClennon, 28, was indicted on charges related to fentanyl, methamphetamine, and firearms trafficking.