Ottawa man sentenced in methamphetamine trafficking case

An Ottawa man has been sentenced to serve more than 12 years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking operation in the state, including Lawrence.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil sentenced Wade Johnston, 33, to serve two 151-month sentences concurrently after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to launder proceeds from drug trafficking.

According to interim U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch’s office, Johnston in his plea admitted from 2003 to 2007 he conspired with defendants Dustin Stoneking, Randy Lucero, Brian Ele, Drew Hulett, Chad Ellis, Corey Ellis, Justin Kenard and others to distribute methamphetamine in Ottawa, Lawrence, Salina, Eudora and elsewhere in Kansas.

From 2003 to 2006 Johnston provided five pounds of methamphetamine to Stoneking, of Eudora, who paid about $1,100 an ounce for it. Johnston also employed Stoneking to transport methamphetamine between cities and to wire money to Johnston’s source of supply in California.

According to Welch’s office, Johnston is the eighth defendant to be sentenced in connection with this case. Stoneking was sentenced in April to serve 20 years in prison.