By Michael Bushnell

Federal Prosecutors on Thursday charged Heladio Lezama-Palma with allegedly selling guns and illegal drugs to undercover agents in a number of supermarket parking lots throughout the metro.

Lezama-Palma is charged with Distribution and Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Heroin, Possession of a Firearm in the Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime, Alien in Possession of a Firearm and Unlawful Re-entry in to the United States.

Court documents show that Lezama-Palma, who lived in the 6600 block of E. 12th Terrace, sold guns and drugs to federal agents in parking lots grocery stores in both Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS and took place over a roughly six-month period between April and October, 2018. Court documents allege Lezama-Palma sold a kilogram of methamphetamine in the parking lot of the Price Chopper on Wilson Road in July of 2018.

During the same month, Lezama-Palma agreed to sell three firearms, a Glock 19, an Anderson AM-15 chambered in 7.62 and another Anderson AM-15 chambered in 5.56mm to undercover agents in the parking lot of the Sun Fresh at 18th Street & I-70 in Kansas City, KS.

After a number of transactions with Lezama-Palma, an arrangement was made to meet undercover agents in the Price Chopper parking lot on Wilson Road on the afternoon of November 7, 2018 for another firearm purchase. Shortly after arriving in the store’s parking lot, Lezama-Palma was taken into custody by Kansas City Police Department Tactical Officers.

In an initial search of Lezama-Palma’s vehicle, a black duffel bag was located containing approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine and seven firearms.

Lezama-Palma remains in federal custody awaiting a detention hearing that has not been scheduled yet. If found guilty Lezama-Palma faces a minimum of ten years up to a maximum of life in prison. The maximum allowable fine in this case is $10,000,000. Federal Prosecutors will be releasing more information on this case next week.

Updates to follow after press release early next week.