Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Meth with a Firearm Through KC Union Station

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Chicago, Ill., man pleaded guilty in federal court today for transporting more than 4 kilograms of methamphetamine through Kansas City, Mo., aboard a train. The man also pleaded guilty to possessing a revolver in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.

Larry L. Radcliffe, 40, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to one count of possession with intent to distribute an amount of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Members of the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force (MoWIN) were conducting interdiction activities at a Kansas City, Mo., train station on Sep. 30, 2024. As passengers disembarked from a train that originated in Los Angeles, Ca., officers conducted consensual encounters with other passengers who remained on the train. While one detective was interviewing a passenger, Larry L. Radcliffe jumped from his seat and exclaimed: "What's going on?" Another detective believed this response was strange and was concerned for the safety of his colleague and accordingly engaged with Radcliffe and asked Radcliffe to step away from the officers. The detective identified himself and showed Radcliffe his law enforcement credentials. Radcliffe reported that he was traveling from Los Angeles, Ca. and going to Chicago, Ill. Radcliffe claimed that he did not have any form of identification on his person. The detective then noticed three pieces of luggage in an overhead bin and asked Radcliffe if they belonged to him. Radcliffe acknowledged ownership of two pieces of luggage but stated he was unsure if a third piece, a gray colored backpack, was his. The detective grabbed the gray colored backpack so that Radcliffe could get a closer look at it. The detective asked if the detective could look inside the backpack to ensure there was not a weapon in it and Radcliffe stated: "go ahead." Upon searching the backpack, the detective discovered 10 bundles of methamphetamine wrapped in clear cellophane. A forensic drug testing laboratory later determined the bundles contained approximately 4.33 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. In a subsequent search, investigators found a .357 revolver in one of Radcliffe's other backpacks. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Radcliffe admitted that he knowingly possessed the methamphetamine and that he was transporting it to a person that he knew would distribute it. Radcliffe also admitted that he knowingly possessed the firearm to protect himself and the methamphetamine he was transporting.

Under federal statutes, Radcliffe is subject to a sentence of up to life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.