St. Joseph Police, Buchanan County Drug Strike Force Help Investigate Major Fentanyl and Cocaine Case
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — St. Joseph-area law enforcement agencies helped investigate a federal drug case that resulted in six indictments and the seizure of large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri announced Monday that six people have been indicted on allegations involving a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine between November 2025 and August 2026.
The defendants are Brandon A. McAfee, 40, of Lee’s Summit, along with Kansas City residents Arthelle McClain, 70; Joe F. Fuller Jr., 44; Shelia M.M. Gordon, 64; Anthony S.S. Conaway, 48; and Marshall D. Jackson, 49.
The 16-count federal indictment was returned under seal Aug. 25 before being unsealed following arrests and initial court appearances for five defendants.
Authorities reported recovering approximately 3,533 grams of cocaine and 1,555 grams of fentanyl during last week’s enforcement operation. Investigators also seized more than 1,000 grams of a fentanyl-carfentanil mixture, hundreds of grams of other drugs and unidentified pills.
Nine firearms were also recovered, according to federal prosecutors. Authorities said one had an obliterated serial number, another had been reported stolen and a third was equipped with a machine-gun conversion device commonly known as a “switch.”
Although the defendants are from the Kansas City area, the investigation included two St. Joseph-area agencies: the St. Joseph Police Department and Buchanan County Drug Strike Force.
The Kansas City Police Department, DEA, ATF, IRS Criminal Investigation and Missouri State Highway Patrol were also involved.
Jackson faces additional charges alleging he was a felon in possession of a firearm and possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The charges are allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri and KQ2. Federal indictment announcement
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