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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Oct. 15, 2007
LAWRENCE MAN SENTENCED TO 27 YEARS IN FEDERAL DRUG TRAFFICKING CASE
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Don Marcus Gibler, 28, Lawrence, was sentenced Monday to 27 years in federal prison for drug trafficking.
Gibler pleaded guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine. He admitted that he played a central role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that was responsible for distributing kilograms of crack cocaine from 1999 through April 2006 in Lawrence.
Gibler is the last of 10 defendants in the case to be convicted. In his plea, Gibler admitted he took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy in Lawrence with co-defendants Aharlock Fixico, Branden Scott Walker, Carl Ray Roubison, Ryan Ezell Fowler, Lonnie Ray Teichman, John Burke Holt, Ryan Lavell Green, James William Beltch, and Katheryn Alexander.
In his plea, Gibler admitted that he, Fixico, and Walker obtained ounce and multi-ounce quantities of cocaine or crack cocaine, which they subsequently distributed themselves or used individuals including Roubison, Fowler, Teichmann, Green, Beltch and Alexander to handle distribution. Some of those individuals allowed Gibler, Fixico, and Walker to use their residences to manufacture and distribute crack.
With the assistance of confidential informants, investigators made a series of controlled purchases of crack from Gibler and the co-defendants. Additionally, search warrants were served at seven residences or hotel rooms..
The following co-defendants pleaded guilty and are awaiting senctencing: Holt, Fixico., Alexander, Walker, Beltch, Fowler, Teichman, Green and Roubison
Melgren commended the city-county Drug Enforcement Unit, comprising officers from the Lawrence Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, which investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask, who is prosecuting.
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