Alleged meth trafficker facing federal charges
YAKIMA, WA – A 42-year-old Clarkston man has been indicted by a federal Grand Jury on multiple drug charges. Kyle Richardson is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance-50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance-50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of methamphetamine.
Count one carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, a $10 million fine, or both; and at least five years of supervised release. The other three charges each carry a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, $5 million fine, or both, and at least four years of supervised release. He also is subject to forfeiting any property and proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the offenses.
A second man named in the indictment, who at this time will not be identified by Big Country News Connection at the request of officials, faces one count of distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of methamphetamine, and two weapons offense.
The indictment states that between March 1st and December 1st of last year, Richardson and the other man “knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated and agreed together and with each other, and with other persons both known and unknown to the Grand Jury” to commit the offenses.
Richardson was arrested in October by the Quad Cities Drug Task Force and is facing local charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance-methamphetamine. Asotin County Deputy Prosecutor Curt Liedkie says he will be dismissing those charges next week in favor of the federal indictment.
Task Force detectives served a search warrant at a home in the 1200 block of Ash Street on October 24th. Richardson was taken into custody and booked into the Asotin County Jail. At the time, officials called this “a substantial drug trafficking operation.” Detectives believe that Richardson was part of a regional network of drug traffickers, responsible for distributing 5 to 7 lbs of methamphetamine on a monthly basis, directly into the Lewis-Clark Valley.
Mia Carlson, news director for KZBG in Clarkston, wrote this report.
