Local drug dealer receives sentence

A judge sentenced a Fort Scott drug dealer to 15 months in state prison for selling marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school.

On Tuesday, Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Richard Smith handed down the jail time to Roy W. Guss, 37. He is being held at Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center until transferred to an undetermined Kansas Department of Corrections facility.

Smith also denied Guss' request for probation and ordered he be placed on two years post release supervision following his release.

Around 2 a.m. Feb. 16, Fort Scott Police, after securing a search warrant, raided his residence at 602 S. Hill St. They found a undisclosed amount marijuana and multiple items like scales, drug paraphernalia and packaging material that led police to believe Guss was selling and distributing the drug. The amount of marijuana was substantial enough for police to determine it was being used for purposes other than personal usage, FSPD Det. Shaun West said.

Although the quantity of drug seized would not be classified a large drug bust, anytime a drug dealer is taken off the streets, it's positive, West said. He said the bust will affect "small circles" of users for a short time, but the problem of drugs in the area is still present.

Police acted on an anonymous letter that spurred an investigation into the case.

After being charged with three felony counts of selling marijuana with intention to sell within 1,000 feet of a school (Eugene-Ware), Guss entered a plea agreement on Aug. 11 to the one felony count of distribution with intent to sell. The remaining counts were dropped. He waived the preliminary hearing.

Sara J. Guss, Roy Guss' wife, received the same sentence, 15 months, on Oct. 11 after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine when police busted the 23-year-old on Feb. 16. She is currently under intensive supervision by the Sixth Judicial District Court.