A Platte County judge sentenced a Kansas City man to ten years in prison for selling drugs near an elementary school, while his four-year-old son was present.
Michael E. Espinoza, 32, received the sentence last week following his guilty plea in Platte County Circuit Court.
Detectives with the Platte County Drug Task Force conducted surveillance of a home on NW 57th Terrace in Kansas City.
The detectives conducted the surveillance from the parking lot of Southeast Elementary School. Based on the nature of foot and vehicle traffic, detectives believed drugs were being sold from the residence.
Detectives then made contact with two individuals after they left the residence. Both individuals admitted to purchasing marijuana from Espinoza. They also told detectives that there was a small child playing in the adjoining room.
Detectives later served a search warrant at the home and found cocaine and marijuana, as well as a set of digital scales. Detectives also saw what appeared to be cocaine on the kitchen counter top, a straw with cocaine residue, and a credit card which had been used to cut the cocaine. A step stool was also near the suspected drugs which could allow the 4-year old boy to reach the drugs.
Espinoza admitted to selling marijuana and cocaine from his home and acknowledged the proximity of the school.
Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said, “Our schools should be drug-free zones. I hope this sentence sends the message to drug dealers that if you peddle drugs near a school, you face substantial time behind bars.”
Prior to sentencing Espinoza, Circuit Judge Abe Shafer noted that the fact the distribution took place near a school influenced his decision.
Shafer sentenced Espinoza to 10 years in prison for distributing marijuana near the school, 10 years for possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it, and five years for possessing cocaine, and five years for endangering a child by leaving cocaine within the easy reach of the child and selling marijuana in the child’s presence. Shafer ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
Zahnd said, “Some people argue that the government has locked up too many people in the war on drugs. But Judge Shafer did the right thing in this case. Children shouldn’t have to attend school in the shadow of drug deals.”