Lawrence man ordered to serve 10 years in federal prison for meth trafficking

A federal judge Tuesday ordered a Lawrence man to serve 10 years in prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, according to court records.

And U.S. District Judge John W. Lungstrum ordered Anthony Wayne Sims to serve 10 years under post-release supervision after his prison term ends.

Sims pleaded guilty in October 2010 to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. In his plea agreement Sims, who was 57 when he was convicted, admitted he provided an undercover officer with chemicals commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Beginning in December 2009, officers conducted a three-month investigation of five people involved in a drug and counterfeit money ring in Lawrence and Topeka.

In February 2010, authorities raided the residence of Donald Milton Steele, 52, at 1706 N. 1500 Road east of Lawrence. A jury in July convicted Steele and Randy J. Dyke, 51, of Lawrence, of six counts, including possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Two other people, Robert D. Billinger, 35, of Missouri, and Kimberly M. Cline, 44, of Lawrence, have also pleaded guilty in connection with the case.