An Illinois man has pleaded guilty in federal court to transporting over four kilograms of methamphetamine through Kansas City, Missouri, while armed with a firearm. Larry L. Radcliffe, 40, from Chicago, admitted to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, members of the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force were conducting operations at a Kansas City train station on September 30, 2024. As passengers disembarked from a train that originated in Los Angeles, officers interacted with remaining passengers. During an interview with another passenger, Radcliffe drew attention by jumping up and asking: “What’s going on?” Officers then engaged Radcliffe and identified themselves.
Radcliffe told officers he was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago but claimed not to have identification. Officers noticed three pieces of luggage above him; Radcliffe said two belonged to him but was unsure about the third—a gray backpack. When asked if officers could search it for weapons, Radcliffe replied: “go ahead.” Inside the backpack, officers found ten bundles of methamphetamine wrapped in cellophane. Laboratory testing confirmed the bundles contained about 4.33 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. A later search uncovered a .357 revolver in another backpack belonging to Radcliffe.
As part of his plea agreement, Radcliffe admitted he knowingly possessed the methamphetamine and was transporting it for distribution by another person. He also acknowledged possessing the firearm for protection during transport.
Under federal law, Radcliffe faces up to life imprisonment without parole. The actual sentence will be determined by the court after consideration of advisory guidelines and statutory factors following a presentence investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Kansas City Police Department.
“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.”
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri manages federal prosecutions across 66 counties stretching from Iowa to Arkansas and maintains offices in Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield official website. The office collaborates with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners official website and addresses key areas such as violent crime and drug trafficking official website. It also supports community outreach programs focused on these issues official website.
