Man wanted in connection to drug ring ran from Oklahoma prison arrested in Wichita

One of the men wanted in connection to a Wichita drug ring being run from an Oklahoma prison cell was arrested at a motel on Kellogg on Wednesday night, records show.

Trevor Wells, 39, of Wichita, was arrested at the Starlite Motor Lodge, 6345 E. Kellogg. Wells was one of the 24 people charged in February in a 55-count federal indictment that alleges convicted killer Travis Knighten, 47, acted as the “brain behind a criminal organization” that handled hundreds of thousands of dollars while distributing drugs in Wichita.

On March 6, the Federal Bureau of Investigation offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Dorzee Hill, 40, of Wichita; Otis Ponds, 41, of Wichita; and Wells.

Wells, who is also called “Punch” and “Punchy,” is accused in the indictment of taking part in the conspiracies to deal meth, marijuana and heroin, and of maintaining a stash house at 930 N. Yale.

Wells’ indictment includes charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to distribute heroin, maintaining drug-involved premises, unlawful use of a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. The charges carry more than a 25-year sentence and possibly millions of dollars in fines.

Knighten, a 1990s-era Wichita gang member serving a 90-year prison sentence for participating in the 1993 beating death of a Lansing Correctional Facility guard, was the ring’s shot caller, authorities have said. He used contraband cellphones he obtained while inside Oklahoma State Penitentiary to direct the movements of nearly two dozen of his underlings responsible for maintaining five Wichita stash houses, executing drug deals and cutting and packaging their illicit products, the indictment alleges.

This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 9:53 AM.