PIttsburg man pleads guilty to federal drug charge

A Pittsburg, Kansas man pleaded guilty this morning in U. S. District Court in Springfield to a single count of possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Under a plea agreement, Justin T. Lapping, 48, pleaded guilty to the meth charge, with the government dismissing a charge of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

Judge David P. Rush ordered a pre-sentencing investigation. No date has been scheduled for the sentencing.

Lapping led Kansas authorities on a motorcycle chase August 9, 2022 into Barton County. After entering Missouri on U. S. 160, Lapping abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot. Barton County officers deployed tasers and took Lapping into custody.

Lapping was carrying a Ziploc baggie that contained approximately 202 grams of cocaine and fentanyl.