Aug 30, 2020

Grocery store told police employee was selling marijuana

Posted Aug 30, 2020 11:00 PM
Martinez photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff
Martinez photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted Wednesday on federal firearms and drug trafficking charges, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Pablo Martinez, 42, Kansas City, Kan., was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Court documents allege the investigation began when law enforcement received a complaint from Balls Food Inc. that one of its employees was distributing marijuana. Investigators identified Martinez as the employee’s supplier.

When the Kansas Highway patrol stopped Martinez’s car for a traffic violation, a trooper found a .45 caliber handgun and more than a quarter pound of marijuana in the car. Martinez denied selling marijuana. He told investigators he himself smoked about a quarter pound of marijuana every five days.

If convicted, he could face a penalty not less than five years in federal prison on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, up to 10 years and fine up to $250,000 on the other firearm charge and up five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the marijuana charge.