The United States Department of Justice
Welcome to the District of Kansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News releases are available at www.usdoj.gov/usao/ks/press.html

Contact: Jim Cross
PHONE: 316-269-6481
FAX: 316-269-6420

APRIL 10 2007

---

COFFEYVILLE MAN FACES AT LEAST 10 YEARS
Anthony Oniel Bass pleads guilty to drug conspiracy charge

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - Anthony Oniel Bass, 24, Coffeyville, Kan., pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine.

During a hearing before U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia, Bass admitted he was arrested as a result of an incident Aug. 3, 2003, in which he was driving a vehicle that struck a pole near gas pumps at a convenience store in Coffeyville. He left the scene in another vehicle without reporting the collision. He was arrested and a search of his pants revealed 14 individually wrapped rocks of crack cocaine. Bass said he bought the drugs from co-defendant Victor Lewis. Bass said he had been making weekly purchases from Lewis for about 18 months.

Sentencing is set for July 9. The penalty is not less than 10 years and not more than life in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. Co-defendants Lewis and Syeta Donielle Holt are awaiting trial. Melgren commended the members of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force that developed the case as part of Operation Little Big Man, which targeted drug trafficking networks operating in southeast Kansas. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Coffeyville Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask is prosecuting.