Show-Me State Times

Five individuals from the Kansas City area have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The indictment includes charges related to the sale of drugs to an undercover agent, as well as firearm offenses.

Marcellus W. Anderson, 31; Tyra K. M. McGee, 37; Virgil D. Tillman, 41; and Martin A. Holloman, 40, all of Kansas City, Missouri; along with Ricky M. Bowie, 25, of Kansas City, Kansas were named in a 14-count superseding indictment returned under seal on August 13, 2025. The indictment was unsealed following the arrest and initial court appearance of Bowie earlier this week. Tillman and Holloman were also arrested this week.

The new indictment replaces an earlier one from June 27 that only charged Anderson and McGee and now includes additional defendants.

Federal prosecutors allege that all five defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine between December 1, 2023 and June 11, 2025.

Anderson faces multiple charges including three counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, five counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count each for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment states that Anderson possessed a Glock Model 27 .40 caliber pistol on January 29, 2025.

McGee is charged alongside Anderson with distributing fentanyl and distributing a fentanyl analogue. Bowie, Tillman, and Holloman are each charged with Anderson in separate counts for distributing fentanyl.

An affidavit supporting the original complaint against Anderson and McGee alleges that Anderson sold cocaine to an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agent on three occasions; methamphetamine once; fentanyl six times; and a fentanyl analogue once. McGee allegedly participated in one transaction involving fentanyl and another involving the analogue substance. During one transaction described in the affidavit, Anderson reportedly had a Glock pistol on his lap for protection. Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from possessing firearms or ammunition; Anderson has previously been convicted for receiving stolen firearms.

Officials emphasize that "the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt." They add: "Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence."

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Jennings is prosecuting the case which was investigated by the ATF; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Kansas City Missouri Police Department; and Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force.

This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration-related crime as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).