kC man sentenced to 15 years for meth, firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing a firearm.
Joseph N. Wilson, 31, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
On June 8, 2010, Wilson pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Wilson admitted that he and co-defendant Christopher P. Heizman, 40, of Kansas City, obtained pound quantities of methamphetamine from a supplier about 15 times. In August 2008, a confidential informant made two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Wilson.
Wilson was arrested on Sept. 3, 2008, following the execution of a search warrant at his residence, which he shared with Heizman. Law enforcement officers found a loaded CZ 9mm pistol lying on the floor of the kitchen with its hammer cocked back. Officers also discovered marijuana, methamphetamine, ammunition and $721 in cash in the house.
Heizman was sentenced on May 12, 2011, to 20 years in federal prison without parole after also pleading guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. The court also ordered Heizman to forfeit to the government $13,992 in drug proceeds that was seized by law enforcement officers.
Heizman was arrested on Nov. 12, 2008, following a foot chase. When Heizman saw police officers approaching him in front of his residence, he pulled a Taurus .45-caliber pistol from his waistband and threw down the weapon before fleeing with a black bag. After officers apprehended Heizman, they searched the bag he was carrying and found methamphetamine, marijuana and $3,992 in cash. Officers also searched the residence and found $10,000 in cash, nine handguns and rifles, ammunition, and a bag containing methamphetamine.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
