A federal grand jury in Wichita has indicted Vicente Rodriguez, 45, of Wichita on one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak.
In related indictments, John J. Hicks Jr., 38, also of Wichita, faces charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is handling the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting this case.
Another individual, Robert D. Veales, 31, from Wichita, was indicted on one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and two counts of prohibited person in possession of ammunition. The ATF is investigating this case as well, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak.
Jacob Navarrette, 34, also from Wichita, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography. This case is under investigation by Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon.
The indictment against Navarrette is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse online. The program coordinates federal, state, and local resources to find and prosecute individuals who exploit children through the internet and to identify victims.
“An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
