A federal grand jury in Wichita has indicted three Kansas men on charges related to drug trafficking. Patrick M. Kornelson, 49, Cameron Rigsby, 38, and Tyler Devaney, 42, all residents of Wichita, face one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. They are accused of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine.
Kornelson is also charged with using and maintaining drug premises, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
Rigsby faces additional charges including using or maintaining drug premises, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and 11 counts related to the use of a telephone for facilitating drug trafficking.
Devaney is charged with using or maintaining drug premises, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deb Barnett is handling the prosecution.
In other indictments:
Leopoldo Lopez-Lopez, 41, also from Wichita, was indicted on charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and an illegal alien as well as unlawful reentry after deportation. The case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi prosecuting.
Zane Tilcock, 20, from Wichita faces three counts each of bank robbery and brandishing and using a firearm during crimes of violence. This case involves investigations by the FBI along with local police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kari Burks is prosecuting.
Emily Wise, 18, from Wichita was indicted on one count of bank robbery. Her case is under investigation by similar agencies involved in Tilcock's case with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kari Burks prosecuting.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.