NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

MATT J. WHITWORTH

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

MAY 19, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY HONORED AS

‘OUTSTANDING PROSECUTOR’

45 DEFENDANTS INDICTED IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR

DRUG-TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACIES

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Matt J. Whitworth, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Mahoney was honored today for making significant contributions to reducing drug trafficking in the region.

The Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), a program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to combat drug trafficking in a six-state region, presented Mahoney with the Outstanding Prosecutor Award for 2008 in recognition of her involvement in several significant drug-trafficking investigations. This annual award recognizes individuals who consistently utilize innovative and successful prosecution approaches in support of HIDTA task force operations and who utilize cooperative law enforcement ideals to achieve investigative success.

“I am pleased to congratulate Kate Mahoney for being honored with this prestigious award, which recognizes her successful work in prosecuting several drug trafficking organizations,” said Whitworth. “She and her team of legal professionals and law enforcement officers have made a significant impact on drug trafficking in this district.”

Operation Suspicious Minds involved the investigation of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana trafficking by gang members and others in northeast Kansas City. What began as three separate investigations was consolidated into one federal operation, concluding with a series of federal indictments, the seizure of $250,000 in cash, and the forfeiture of five properties and 11 vehicles in November 2008. Operation Suspicious Minds resulted in seven indictments against 30 defendants for their involvement in multi-million dollar drug-trafficking conspiracies as well as firearms and immigration violations.

In addition to Operation Suspicious Minds, Mahoney also supervised two significant investigations elsewhere in the state. Both investigations were also successfully concluded during 2008 with multiple indictments and significant amounts of seizures.

Operation Loyalty Lane involved an investigation into several Web sites operating in St. Robert, Mo., that distributed more than 1 million hydrocodone pills online. Seven defendants were indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering. Operation Bearcat Ice was a large methamphetamine investigation in the Maryville, Mo., area, into an organization that distributed more than four kilograms of methamphetamine. Eight defendants were indicted in that case.

“Mahoney’s skill in managing these three wide-ranging investigations shows her ability to overcome obstacles and her unquestioned commitment to HIDTA’s goal of inter-agency cooperation,” David Barton, director of Midwest HIDTA, said in presenting the award. “I am pleased to offer congratulations on a job well done.”

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