COLUMBIA — The last of the 16 suspected members of the alleged Cut Throat pleaded not guilty to drug-trafficking charges Thursday in the central division of the U.S. Court for the Western District of Missouri in Jefferson City.
William Harold Rogers, 42, is charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possessing at least 50 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute and using a communications facility for drug-trafficking.
He is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for second-degree drug-trafficking, according to Missouri Case.net.
Magistrate William A. Knox decided to detain Rogers until his July 20 trial unless he becomes eligible for parole before that.
Because of Rogers’ low monthly income from prison, Knox appointed Springfield lawyer David A. Healy to represent him.
Case evidence includes wiretap conversations, electronic surveillance, search and seizure records and witness testimony, Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony P. Gonzalez said. Copies of the evidence have been made available to attorneys on the case, but Gonzalez has filed a protective order, so the evidence is not available to the public.
Rogers is the last suspected gang member to enter a plea of not guilty for the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Each of the 16 alleged gang members are set to be tried on July 20 in front of Federal Judge Nanette K. Laughrey.