Wichita man sentenced after caught with firearms and methamphetamine

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was sentenced to 84 months in prison after law enforcement found drugs and illegal firearms on his person and in his vehicle. According to court documents, John Hicks, 39, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In January 2025, the Wichita Police Department was attempting to locate Hicks because of a felony arrest warrant for aggravated assault. Officers observed Hicks exit from a residence and drive away. They followed him to a second location where he was arrested. While searching Hicks, officers found a baggie containing approximately 14 grams of pure methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and ammunition. Officers also searched his vehicle where they found two firearms, one of which had an extended 30-round magazine with 12 rounds of ammunition. Hicks admitted to eating some of the methamphetamine just prior to officers arresting him. “Drug trafficking and violence are often linked. Armed drug dealers put innocent people living in the community at greater risk of falling victim to gun violence,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “The defendant in this case was found in possession of illegal narcotics and firearms, which is a recipe for disaster.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Wichita Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi prosecuted the case. ###