United States Drug Enforcement Administration

KANSAS CITY, MO. - An effort led by Kansas City Police put more than 160 law enforcement officers in the most violent areas of the city for three days to attack violent crime. From August 3 - 5, this year’s violent crime initiative follows up and expands on the success of those in previous years. This year, KCPD and Independence Police officers, Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies, as well as agents from the Drug Enforcement (DEA) and six other federal agencies, have obtained search warrants for 50 addresses - the most ever. The Patrol Divisions also provided input about problem locations and individuals to assist in the overall effort of suppressing violent crimes in these designated areas during this initiative.

This year’s initiative will be conducted in two parts. The first part will take place Wednesday and (August 3-4) as officers try to execute 50 search warrants and many more arrest warrants. The second phase will take place Friday and involve 160-plus officers, deputies and agents going door-to-door in many neighborhoods to gather more information about five unsolved homicide cases.

Part one of the violent crime initiative resulted in the following:

• 133 warrants cleared
• 71 new arrests
• 10 federal felon in possession charges
• Nearly 20 pounds of narcotics recovered:
  • 12 lbs. 7 oz. of K-2
  • 6 lbs. 2 oz. of marijuana
  • 3.7 oz. of cocaine
  • 1.4 oz. of methamphetamine
  • 210 pills
• 48 firearms recovered
• $10,725 in U.S. currency recovered
• $1,550 worth of counterfeit bills recovered
• Five drug houses posted and closed by the Drug Abatement Response (DART)
• 649 cell phones recovered in one home
• Two children taken into protective custody

Part two of the three-day violent crime initiative involved 200 plus agents and officers involved in the operation going door-to-door in neighborhoods to get new leads on five unsolved homicide cases. The cases they are pursuing tips are:

• Mauro Brito-Pacheco: 38 year-old Pacheco was shot at about 6:42 p.m. Aug. 10, 2009, when he struggled with robbers at his place of business, Tina’s Hair Salon, located at 922 W. 24 th Street. Witnesses said three men fled from the scene.
• Earl Ricks III: 33 year-old Ricks appeared to be riding a bicycle when he was shot at about 5L57 p.m. on October 17, 2010, at 34 th and Bellefontaine.
• Marshall Blacksure: 26 year-old Blacksure was found shot to death on the sidewalk at Roberts and Bales at about 8 p.m. on June 22, 2011. A second shooting victim arrived at a local hospital about 20 minute’s later saying he was shot in the arm at the same location as Blacksure. Witnesses said a red Chevrolet Camaro fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
• Paul Nelson: 23 year-old Paul Nelson was found dead in the park at Linwood and Park at about 11:27 p.m. on June 29, 2011, from an apparent gunshot wound.
• Keith Handson: 33 year-old Keith Handson was found suffering from apparent stab wounds at Independence and Bates at about 11:36 p.m. on July 7, 2011.

Anyone with information on these cases is encouraged to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-(8477).

Federal agencies that participated in the operation include: the DEA; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; U.S. Marshals Service; United States Postal Inspection Service; Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service. The Jackson County Prosecutor’(DART) and U.S. Attorney’s offices also are assisting in the operation.