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Gang Leaders Sentenced: Kansas City’s ‘246’ Street Gang Dismantled in Major Drug Trafficking Operation

Human RightsGang Leaders Sentenced: Kansas City's '246' Street Gang Dismantled in Major Drug Trafficking Operation

Two individuals from Kansas City, Missouri, who led a violent street gang known as “246” have been sentenced in federal court for their involvement in drug trafficking and other criminal activities, including illegal firearms possession and a drive-by shooting near a daycare center.

Ladele D. Smith, also known as “Dellio” and “Dog,” aged 36, received a 35-year federal prison sentence without parole, while Roy Franklin, Jr., aged 33, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Both were found guilty in September 2022 of participating in a conspiracy to distribute various drugs, including heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana, from January 1, 2011, to October 1, 2019. Smith faced additional convictions for drug trafficking and firearms crimes, including a drive-by shooting, while Franklin was convicted of similar offenses.

The 246 street gang, operating in the Kansas City metropolitan area, comprised members from different streets in the city. Smith was identified as one of the gang’s leaders, with Franklin, David J. Duncan, IV, and Gary O. Toombs counted among its members.

Smith and Duncan, who were local rap artists, often posted content on social media platforms referencing the 246 gang. Some of their videos depicted firearms and large sums of money. Financial records revealed extravagant spending by Smith, such as $54,000 at Halls Department Store and over $27,000 on rental cars from Enterprise, in addition to luxury items seized by law enforcement.

The gang used a residence near a public elementary school for drug-trafficking activities, and during a search, law enforcement discovered drugs, assault rifles, and stolen vehicles. Smith and Duncan were arrested in October 2019, with substantial cash and firearms found at their residences.

In addition to drug trafficking and firearms conspiracies, Smith and Franklin were convicted of drive-by shooting and other charges related to drug distribution. Duncan was found guilty of drug possession with intent to distribute, possessing firearms for drug trafficking, and money laundering through the purchase of money orders using drug proceeds. Toombs was also convicted for maintaining a residence for drug-related activities.

Fourteen co-defendants in the case have previously pleaded guilty and received sentences. The prosecution was conducted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashleigh Ragner, Mary Kate Butterfield, and Ben Hurst, with collaboration from multiple agencies including the FBI, Kansas City Police Department, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

This case was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which focuses on disrupting and dismantling serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering networks that pose significant threats to public safety and national security.

By FCCT Editorial Team

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are independent views solely of the author(s) expressed in their private capacity.

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