2 charged with drug trafficking near Kansas elementary school

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A man and a woman from Leavenworth, Kan., were charged Thursday with trafficking drugs near an elementary school. These charges resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Danielle R. Kostiuk, 28, and Pablo Valdovinos Bravo, 31, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of Earl M. Lawson Elementary School in Leavenworth.

In addition, Kostiuk is charged with four counts of distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of the school, one count of distributing methamphetamine, and one count of maintaining an apartment in the 600 block of N. 5th Street in furtherance of drug trafficking; the apartment is located within 1,000 feet of the school. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in Leavenworth at various times between Oct. 17, 2011 and Feb 4.

If convicted of the below crimes, Kostiuk and Valdovinos could receive the following penalties:

• Conspiracy: A minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, and a fine up to $10 million.
• Distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school: A minimum of five years and up to 80 years imprisonment, and a fine up to $2 million on each count.
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school: A minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, and a fine up to $20 million.
• Maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking: A minimum of a year and up to 40 years imprisonment, and a fine up to $4 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel, District of Kansas, is prosecuting the case.