Former KU coach linked to California drug case
James Soderling, a famed KU swimming coach, later headed Lawrence Aquahawks and mentored many state and college swimmers. Court records allege he and wife Sarah supplied marijuana from Northern California to Kansas, pleading guilty to drug conspiracy as investigations traced a large cross country operation. Local Mendocino figures, including Keller and McMillan, also faced charges as authorities mapped the California pipeline feeding Kansas City networks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Swift
California Connections
Kansas City
Hayward
Bauman
Lawrence
Lena
California
Spiderman linked drug ring runs through Lawrence area
Day 4 profile details a Kansas City businessman known as Spiderman who built front businesses to smuggle marijuana and other drugs into Lawrence and Johnson County. The sprawling conspiracy involved two brothers tied to a Castle fortified drug hub and a Northern California Emerald Triangle supply line.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ljworld.com
California
Emerald Triangle
Drug ring timeline stretches from Lawrence to California
The timeline tracks major figures moving drugs between Kansas and California from 2006 to 2012. It notes high grade marijuana flows, moves by Wayne Swift to California, James Soderling supplying to Kansas links, an interception in 2011, and arrests in 2012 involving the Dahda brothers network and Mendocino residents including Erin Keller and John Paul McMillan.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lawrence
Wayne Swift
Kansas City
Hayward
Calif
California
James
Mike” Soderling
Fort Bragg
Kansas
Soderling
Dahda Brothers
Swift
Estes Shipping
Soderlings
Mendocino
Erin Keller
John Paul McMillan
U.S
Notable Kansas drug network linked to Mendocino operatives
Court documents identify James Michael Soderling, 43, of Fort Bragg, as a high grade marijuana broker who helped secure drugs for Peter Park and planned to distribute in Kansas. His wife Sarah Soderling, 35, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy. Californians Erin Keller and John Paul McMillan are accused of supplying large quantities to Chad Bauman and transporting drugs to Kansas. Mendocino figures Richard W. Smith, Henry McCusker, Jeff Wall, and Wayne Swift named as suppliers or facilitators. Swift pleads guilty. Sentencing pending for several. Soderling free on house arrest, others awaiting outcomes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mendocino
California
Henry
Hank” McCusker
Sweetwater Spa and Inn Bed and Breakfast
Ed O’brien
Compass Rose
McMillan and Keller
O’brien
Kansas
McMillan
Zenia Gilg
San Francisco
Keller
James Michael Soderling
Fort Bragg
Calif
Lawrence
Lawrence Aquahawks
Topeka Swim Association
Soderling
Johnson County
Peter Park
Sarah Soderling
James Soderling
Erin Keller
John Paul McMillan
Chad Bauman
Richard W. Smith
Bauman
Smith
Henry “Hank” McCusker
Sweetwater Spa and Inn
McCusker
Jeff Wall
Mendocino-area
Wayne Swift
Hayward
California Connections
Kansas City
Swift
Park
Les
Roosevelt Dahda
Lawrence studies multimodal plan with online maps and public meeting
The city and county unveil three interactive maps for bicycling, park and ride, and transit input. An online map requires account signup at lawrences.org mpo study input ahead of a June 5 public meeting at Union Pacific Depot. Mortinger says the effort builds a county wide bicycle plan, formalizes park and ride sites, and improves transit access for pedestrians. The study aims to shift toward more transportation options by late 2013 and boosts public input via online commenting to complement in person sessions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lawrences.org
Union Pacific
N. Second Street
Lawrence
Mortinger
Megan Gilliland
City Hall
City reporter contact and social handle note
City reporter Chad Lawhorn can be reached at 832-6362. Follow him at Twitter dot com slash clawhorn.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shaun Hittle
Ian Cummings
Chad Lawhorn
Twitter
Clawhorn
Also Mentioned on This Page
Gary Kempf
Kempf
Journal-World
The
Aquahawks
Drug Enforcement Administration
Gilg
Wayne S. Swift
Pacific Ocean
Mendocino Headlands
Mike Sena
Mexico
Sena
Dahda Twins
the Lovebirds
Lecompton
Feds
Mike” Soder
Ling
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