At least one of the six defendants in a federal methamphetamine distribution case with a hub in Emporia has been dismissed from the case.
Elizabeth Benitez had been charged with one count of distributing meth but was dismissed by Judge Teresa James after a motion proposed by Acting US Attorney Duston Slinkard. Reasons have not been stated in documents posted to the federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records website.
Upcoming hearing dates for the remaining five defendants, Emporians Troy Wagaman and Jesus Rodriguez, Texas resident Moises Sanchez and Mexican residents Omar Carranza and Tiburcio Rangel, have not been posted online.
All remaining defendants, charged with single counts of distributing meth, are accused of varying involvement in a drug distribution ring that involved trips from Mexico to Emporia and back over at least the last several months. The alleged operation worked out of a home in the 800 block of West Fifth and a shipping container in the 1200 block of Road D southwest of Emporia. Authorities say they seized close to 100 gallons of liquid meth, 75 guns, $20,000 and a conversion lab at the Road D location, as well as over 130 pounds of crystal meth and another conversion lab at West Fifth.
