Two men involved in the disappearance of 18 year old Sunny Sramek have been found guilty on drug, gun, and obstruction charges.
Sunny was last seen on April 20, 2019, when she left with Floyd Clifford Coates in his white 2004 Ford Explorer, reportedly for a trip to Omaha to pick up his nieces.
The conviction of Coates and his brother in law Dennis Lawson came after the jury deliberated for 2 hours following an 11 day federal trial in Sioux City.
Floyd Clifford Coates Jr, 44, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon and Drug User, Conspiracy to Conceal Objects with the Intent to Impair Their Availability for an Official Proceeding, and Concealing Objects with the Intent to Impair their Availability for an Official Proceeding.
65 year old Dennis Lawson was convicted of Using Threat of Physical Force Against Another with the Intent to Hinder, Delay, or Prevent the Communication to a Law Enforcement Officer and Judge of the United States of Information Relating to the Commission and Possible Commission of a Federal Offense.
Both were acquitted on other charges related to threats and obstruction.
Evidence shows that Coates arranged a drug run to Kansas City, Missouri in the spring of 2019. Coates traveled from Nebraska with 18 year old Sunny Sramek, who told her family she was going on a day trip to Omaha. There’s no evidence she was aware of the plan to go to Kansas City.
The pair made it to Blair, where Sunny allegedly overdosed on methamphetamine that Coates had provided.
Coates then cancelled the drug run to Kansas City and told his driver to go to the home of his brother in law, Dennis Lawson, in Whiting near the banks of the Missouri River.
While at Lawson’s residence, Coates and Lawson disappeared for a time, with the driver saying they returned without Sunny’s body. They then cleaned out the car, with Lawson threatening the driver saying “it would be her funeral” if she told anyone.
Coates later told confidants that he had thrown her body into the Missouri River to conceal evidence of the crimes.
Forensic analysis found Sunny’s DNA and a significant amount of blood in the white Ford Explorer they were traveling in.
“Sunny Sramek went missing more than six years ago,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson. “But the investigators’ dedication kept her case from going cold. Thanks to them, these two criminals now face judgment for Sunny’s disappearance. Those who believe they can escape justice through threats, cover-ups, or the passage of time will discover they are mistaken.”
Coates faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, and Lawson faces up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing will be conducted after a presentence report is filed.
May they rot in hell.