Show-Me State Times

Federal authorities have unsealed an indictment charging Kurbin Menaugh, 36, and Robert Terry, 44, with conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine. The indictment was made public after Menaugh’s arrest and initial court appearance in Kansas City, Missouri.

According to the indictment, Menaugh and Terry are accused of conspiring in early September 2021 to possess at least 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In addition, Menaugh faces a charge of possessing a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

If found guilty, both defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced up to life imprisonment. Menaugh also faces an additional five-year mandatory minimum sentence for the firearm offense. These penalties are set by Congress but the actual sentence will be determined by the court based on advisory guidelines and other statutory factors following a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

The indictment notes that “the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. 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 James Kirkpatrick is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Independence Police Department.

“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).”