3 arraigned on federal drug charges

Three of five people facing federal charges in connection with a methamphetamine, counterfeiting and identity theft ring were in federal court for an arraignment Monday afternoon.

Donald Steele, Randy Dyke and Anthony Sims all pleaded innocent in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., to charges stemming from a February raid on Steele’s home east of Lawrence.

All three men are charged with with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, hydrocodone, methadone and marijuana.

Last week, federal prosecutors announced additional charges against Steele and Dyke that included counterfeiting and identity theft. Two additional people, Kimberly Cline and Robert Billinger, also face charges for their alleged involvement in the crime ring.