United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WICHITA, KS. - Barry Grissom, United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, announced that twelve people have been indicted on heroin trafficking charges in an indictment unsealed in Wichita on July 7, 2011.

The indictment alleges defendant Jermaine Ward, age 28, of Wichita, established a heroin distribution organization in Wichita, obtaining heroin from sources in New York. Ward and others working at his direction provided heroin to buyers in the Wichita area who paid in cash or property.

Ward is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, 18 counts of distributing heroin, five counts of using the U.S. mail in furtherance of drug trafficking, seven counts of using telephones in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of attempted possession of heroin with intent to distribute and one count of money laundering.

Grissom said the 13-month investigation, which was called Operation Resection, reflects an increase in the use of heroin that is being seen across the nation.

“This investigation targeted a form of powdered heroin that is easily inhaled rather than injected,” Grissom said. “This type of heroin is growing in popularity in urban and suburban areas across the country. As a result, the number of overdoses caused by heroin is growing nationally, too.”

Also charged are:

• Jamel Ward, age 32, of Wichita, who is charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of using the U.S. mail in furtherance of drug trafficking and two counts of using phones in furtherance of drug trafficking.
• Patrice Chadwick, age 28, of Wichita, is charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of using the U.S. mail in furtherance of drug trafficking, five counts of using telephones in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of distributing heroin and one count of money laundering.
• Karen McCann, age 48, of Wichita, who is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of distributing heroin.
• Bryan Phillips, age 27, of Wichita, who is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of distributing heroin.
• Cody Martin, age 21, of Haysville, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of distributing heroin. 
• Dylan Martin, age 19, of Haysville, Kan., who is charged with one count of distributing heroin.
• Christopher Schneider, age 29, of Rose Hill, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy and two counts of distributing heroin.
• Eric Stine, age 33, of Augusta, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of distributing heroin.
• Kyle Jackson, age 22, of Andover, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
• Jennifer Matthews, age 28, of Oklahoma City, Okla., who is charged with one count of possession of heroin.
• Luke Huckins, age 32, Rose Hill, Kan., who is charged with one count of possession of heroin. 

Jermaine Ward initially was charged in a criminal complaint filed last month in U.S. District Court in Wichita. An investigator’s affidavit describes a series of undercover purchases investigators made in 2010 at Ward’s apartment at 6145 E. Boston in Wichita. The last of those transactions took place Oct. 5, 2010, when investigators reported paying $2,000 for 98 bags of heroin. The bags were stamped with the word “Ace” in the shape of an ace of spades.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

• Conspiracy: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.
• Distribution of heroin: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on each count.
• Using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking: A maximum penalty of four years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
• Money laundering: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.
• Attempted possession with intent to distribute heroin: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.
• Possession of heroin: A maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine up to $1,000 on each count.

The following agencies worked on the case: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wichita Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Agencies providing assistance include the Andover Police Department, the Augusta Department of Public Safety, the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, the Haysville Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas National Guard.