KC, Independence Men Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking That Led to Kidnapping, Torture

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man and an Independence, Mo., man have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that involved the kidnapping and torture of an Independence, Mo., man.

Gerald L. Holmes, also known as “Jerry” or “Joker,” 26, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana and one count of brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Jeremy R. Bond, 40, of Independence, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2018, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

Co-defendant Randal G. Holmes, also known as “Peckerwood” or “Wood,” 54, the father of Gerald Holmes, pleaded guilty on July 10, 2018 to the same charges as his son – one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana and one count of brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

According to today’s plea agreement, co-conspirators purchased at least 120 pounds of marijuana from a source in Colorado, for which they made more than a dozen trips between Colorado and Kansas City. Gerald Holmes paid their source between $1,600 to $2,400 per pound, depending on the type and quality of marijuana available.

During the conspiracy, which lasted from May 1 to Sept. 13, 2016, Bond invested $10,000 into the marijuana operation. In return, he received $1,000 a week as interest and free marijuana until the entire principal investment was repaid in full. This investment allowed Gerald Holmes and a co-conspirator, identified in court documents as “C.H.” (who had made four trips to Colorado with Gerald Holmes), to purchase greater quantities of marijuana per trip. Once it reached the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, the marijuana was then resold by Gerald Holmes and C.H.

On Sept. 12, 2016, Gerald and Randal Holmes agreed to kidnap C.H. because he stole money that was intended for the purchase of marijuana.

Holmes arrived at the Independence, Mo., residence of the victim’s father, identified as “W.H.,” on Sept. 12, 2016. During their conversation, Gerald Holmes removed a firearm from his waistband and placed it on a table in front of W.H. Conspirators told W.H. to call C.H. and tell him he was being held at gunpoint and that C.H. needed to come to the residence right away. When C.H. arrived at the residence, Randal Holmes pointed a firearm at him and told him to get into his vehicle. While in the vehicle, Gerald Holmes struck, punched and choked C.H. as Randal Holmes drove away.

They took C.H. to Randal Holmes’s residence, where they were met by a third co-conspirator. C.H. was taken to the basement, where Gerald Holmes continued to assault him with fists, a hammer and tin snips/clippers. During the assault, Randal Holmes repeatedly demanded that C.H. disclose where the duffle bag containing the money was located. Gerald and Randal Holmes left to retrieve the duffle bag while a co-conspirator held C.H. at gunpoint.

Randal Holmes later drove C.H. to a rural residence near Edwards, Mo. As Randal Holmes drove them to the residence, Gerald Holmes continued to strike C.H. with fists and the butt of a firearm. When they arrived at the residence, C.H. was told to call his father and to tell him that he was okay, that he had taken a beating, that he would be home in a couple of days and that he deserved what had happened.

Law enforcement officers were able to trace the telephone call and on Sept. 13, 2016, officers were able to locate C.H. and arrest Gerald and Randal Holmes. Officers observed that C.H. had suffered multiple, visible injuries to his face, head, hands and feet. Officers noted that C.H. had trouble walking, that his face was black and blue, as well as swollen with traces of dried blood. Upon receiving medical treatment, it was determined that C.H. had also suffered a fracture in his left hand.

Officers found a Jimenez Arms 9mm pistol in Randal Holmes’s vehicle and a Hi-Point 9mm pistol in the residence where C.H. had been held. Officers also found an FN Herstal .40-caliber pistol, a Remington .270-caliber rifle, an RG .22-caliber revolver, a Ruger .22-caliber rifle, a Mossberg .20-gauge shotgun, 36.4 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Gerald Holmes’s residence.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Gerald Holmes is subject to a minimum sentence of 25 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 35 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Under federal statutes, Bond is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Benton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.