A Kansas City man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking operation. Chaz Hicks, 28, received a 200-month sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Court records show that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating Hicks in February 2022 after receiving information about his involvement in meth sales around Kansas City, Kansas. Undercover officers purchased meth from Hicks on several occasions; during some transactions he had a firearm present.
Investigators tracked Hicks’ activities and noted frequent visits to a residence on Ruby Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, which belonged to Ernest Lucas. Surveillance linked this location with another house on Mersington Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.
In July 2022, ATF agents executed search warrants at both addresses. At the Ruby Avenue home they found 12 firearms, ammunition, over $11,000 cash and approximately 274 grams of methamphetamine. The search at the Mersington Avenue property uncovered about 102 pounds of methamphetamine, eight firearms and drug paraphernalia including electronic scales.
Four co-defendants—Ernest Lucas (52), Abraham Gallegos (45), Spencer Allen (48), and Jason Smith (50)—have also pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to distributing at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. Sentencing for these individuals is pending.
U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser commented on the investigation: “When the public reports criminal activity and no immediate action is taken, sometimes people mistakenly assume law enforcement doesn’t take the allegations seriously. The reality is that building a solid case often takes time,” Kriegshauser said. “Thanks to a tip from the community, federal agents initiated an investigation against the defendants then collected enough evidence to make arrests and secure convictions across a larger network.”
The ATF led the investigation with support from the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane is prosecuting the case.
