KANSAS CITY — A 33-year-old Ottawa man has been sentenced to nearly 13 years in federal prison for drug trafficking. Wade Johnston pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to launder proceeds from drug trafficking. U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said that from 2003 through 2007, Johnston conspired with others to distribute meth in Ottawa, Lawrence, Salina, Eudora and elsewhere in Kansas. Over a three-year period, Johnston provided five pounds of meth to Dustin Stoneking, who paid about $1,100 an ounce for it, Welch said. Johnston also employed Stoneking to carry meth between cities and to wire money to Johnston’s source of supply in California. Other members of Johnston’s ring have also been sentenced. They include: Randy Lucero, 27 years; Brian Ele, 21 years, 10 months; Justin Kennard, 20 years; Dustin Stoneking, 15 years; Drew Hulett, 11 years, three months; Chad Ellis, 7 years, 3 months; and Corey Ellis, 3 years, 10 months.
Tuesday, July 27, 2:30 p.m.
