Grand Jury Returns Indictment In Garden City Bomb Plot Case

TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment here Wednesday charging three southwest Kansas men with conspiring to detonate a bomb at an apartment complex in Garden City where Muslim immigrants from Somalia live and worship, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

The indictment was based on the same facts presented in an Oct.14 criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Wichita alleging the men conducted surveillance to size up potential targets, stockpiled firearms, ammunition and explosive components, and prepared a manifesto to be published after the bombing.

Charged with one count of conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction were:

Curtis Allen, 49, Liberal, Kan.

Gavin Wright, 49, Liberal, Kan., owner of G & H Mobile Home Center at 1250 E. Tucker Road in Liberal.

Patrick Eugene Stein, 51, Wright, Kan.

If convicted, the defendants face up to life in federal prison. Investigating agencies included the FBI, the Liberal Police Department, the Seward County Sheriff’s Office, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Garden City Police Department, the Dodge City Police Department, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office, and Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi and Trial Attorney David Cora of the Justice Department’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting.

OTHER GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS

Garret Sims, 29, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 24, 2016, in Topeka.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $2 million.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Joseph D. Carrier, 37, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction and one count of unlawful possession of a stolen firearm. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 25, 2016, in Topeka.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Charles James Filkins, Jr., 33, Berryton, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 28, 2016, in Topeka.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Brandon Lee Morris, 22, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 13, 2016, in Topeka.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the first count and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the second count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Jordan W. Mayfield, 22, Golden, Colo., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 21, 2016, in Topeka.

          Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Possession with intent to distribute cocaine: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $20 million.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.