LEE COUNTY, Florida —A homeowner in his pajamas is credited with helping fight crime in his neighborhood.

Just after 2a.m. August 27, police responded to a burglary in progress at a home in Southeast Cape Coral, Florida, according to a media release. When officers arrived, they found the suspect already detained — by a neighbor wearing Batman pajamas.

The neighbor, Kyle Myvett, told detectives he had gone to bed when his home security cameras alerted him to someone breaking into his vehicle. Still dressed in his Batman pajamas, Kyle went outside to investigate and saw the suspect rummaging through his truck. Moments later, he found the same suspect in his neighbor’s garage and detained him until officers arrived. 

The suspect was identified as Justin Schimpl, 21,&nbsp; who is known to law enforcement from prior investigations. Detectives determined that Schimpl broke into Kyle’s vehicle, as well as his neighbors, and stole multiple items including two pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses valued at $300 each, cash, a woman’s wristlet, and more than $500 in gift cards.

Schimpl claimed another man was with him, but the name of that man changed multiple times. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter as well as a Cape Coral Police Department K9 searched the area, but no other suspects were located.

Schimpl was arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail on requested charges:–2 counts of Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance (Unarmed), a 3rd Degree Felony–2 counts of Petit Theft Under $750, a 1st Degree Misdemeanor–1 count of Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, a 2nd Degree FelonyThanks to a quick-thinking neighbor in his Batman pajamas, another burglary suspect was put behind bars.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756479561814.png" alt="Schimpi photo Cape Coral PD" />
 <figcaption>Schimpi photo Cape Coral PD</figcaption>
 </figure>LEE COUNTY, Florida —A homeowner in his pajamas is credited with helping fight crime in his neighborhood.Just after 2a.m. August 27, police responded to a burglary in progress at a home in Southeast Cape Coral, Florida, according to a media release. When officers arrived, they found the suspect already detained — by a neighbor wearing Batman pajamas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756479459496.png" alt="Photo Cape Coral Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Cape Coral Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The neighbor, Kyle Myvett, told detectives he had gone to bed when his home security cameras alerted him to someone breaking into his vehicle. Still dressed in his Batman pajamas, Kyle went outside to investigate and saw the suspect rummaging through his truck. Moments later, he found the same suspect in his neighbor’s garage and detained him until officers arrived. The suspect was identified as Justin Schimpl, 21,&nbsp; who is known to law enforcement from prior investigations. Detectives determined that Schimpl broke into Kyle’s vehicle, as well as his neighbors, and stole multiple items including two pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses valued at $300 each, cash, a woman’s wristlet, and more than $500 in gift cards.Schimpl claimed another man was with him, but the name of that man changed multiple times. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter as well as a Cape Coral Police Department K9 searched the area, but no other suspects were located.Schimpl was arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail on requested charges:–2 counts of Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance (Unarmed), a 3rd Degree Felony–2 counts of Petit Theft Under $750, a 1st Degree Misdemeanor–1 count of Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, a 2nd Degree FelonyThanks to a quick-thinking neighbor in his Batman pajamas, another burglary suspect was put behind bars.

Homeowner in Batman pajamas helps catch burglary suspect

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the death of a&nbsp;Ulysses, Kansas woman in February have made an arrest.

On February 28, Finney County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a home in Finney County for a report of a woman not breathing, according to a media release from Garden City Police. Deputies found the 29-year-old woman deceased in the home belonging to her boyfriend 33-year-old Ricardo Galvez-Aguayo of Garden City. 

An investigation into the woman’s death revealed that she had died from a Fentanyl overdose. During a search of the residence, there were multiple items of illegal drugs to include Fentanyl found hidden in Galvez-Aguayo's room where the woman died. 

Law Enforcement learned that Galvez-Aguayo was also known in the community to be a supplier of Fentanyl to drug users. Galvez-Aguayo is said to have misled Finney County Sheriff's Office Investigators during the investigation. Galvez-Aguayo was arrested and lodged in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Distribution of a Controlled Substance causing Death and Interference of a Law Enforcement Officer; Conceal/Alter/Destroy Evidence. Galvez-Aguayo was granted a $500,000 Own Recognizance bond, and released from custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756474199480.png" alt="Galvez-Aguayo photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Galvez-Aguayo photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the death of a&nbsp;Ulysses, Kansas woman in February have made an arrest.On February 28, Finney County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a home in Finney County for a report of a woman not breathing, according to a media release from Garden City Police. Deputies found the 29-year-old woman deceased in the home belonging to her boyfriend 33-year-old Ricardo Galvez-Aguayo of Garden City. An investigation into the woman’s death revealed that she had died from a Fentanyl overdose. During a search of the residence, there were multiple items of illegal drugs to include Fentanyl found hidden in Galvez-Aguayo's room where the woman died. Law Enforcement learned that Galvez-Aguayo was also known in the community to be a supplier of Fentanyl to drug users. Galvez-Aguayo is said to have misled Finney County Sheriff's Office Investigators during the investigation. Galvez-Aguayo was arrested and lodged in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Distribution of a Controlled Substance causing Death and Interference of a Law Enforcement Officer; Conceal/Alter/Destroy Evidence. Galvez-Aguayo was granted a $500,000 Own Recognizance bond, and released from custody.

SW Kansas man accused in girlfriends's fentanyl death

ATCHISON —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.

At 8:30p.m. on Thursday, police responded to an apartment complex in the 300 block Santa Fe Street in Atchison to investigate a possible burglary, according to Police Chief Mike Wilsonm.

It was determined that no burglary had occurred but during the investigation the resident and reporting party, 61-year-old Gary Odum, was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

&nbsp;Odum was arrested on a requested charge for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He has a previous conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756477662042.png" alt="Odum-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Odum-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.At 8:30p.m. on Thursday, police responded to an apartment complex in the 300 block Santa Fe Street in Atchison to investigate a possible burglary, according to Police Chief Mike Wilsonm.It was determined that no burglary had occurred but during the investigation the resident and reporting party, 61-year-old Gary Odum, was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;Odum was arrested on a requested charge for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He has a previous conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Call about burglary led to Kansas felon's drug arrest

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Whitney Lariviere, Probation violation, arrested 08/26

David Burke, Failure to appear, arrested 08/26

Frederick Swinson, Failure to appear (Three counts), arrested 08/26

Cinderella Jackson, Failure to appear, arrested 08/26

Brenda Heyen, Outside warrant, arrested 08/26

Deontae Darby, Assault; Domestic battery, arrested 08/27

Kimari Whitney, Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 (Pocket picking), arrested 08/27

Devon Foggs, Military housed, arrested 08/28

Jai're Taylor, Juvenile; Violation of condition of probation or placement, arrested 08/29

Desean Crowley Williams, Interference with LEO; Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 - pocket picking, arrested 08/29

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756491515803.jpeg" alt="Tristen Roberts, Endangering a child; Criminal trespass; Criminal deprivation of property; Domestic battery - Knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship; Kidnapping, arrested 08/26" />
 <figcaption>Tristen Roberts, Endangering a child; Criminal trespass; Criminal deprivation of property; Domestic battery - Knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship; Kidnapping, arrested 08/26</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756491630648.jpeg" alt="Robin Bond, Probation violation, arrested 08/26" />
 <figcaption>Robin Bond, Probation violation, arrested 08/26</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756491882407.jpeg" alt="Andrew Williams, Geary County Booking Photos , arrested 08/28" />
 <figcaption>Andrew Williams, Geary County Booking Photos , arrested 08/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756491893464.jpeg" alt="Rontavius Banks, Failure to appear, arrested 08/28" />
 <figcaption>Rontavius Banks, Failure to appear, arrested 08/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756491908921.jpeg" alt="David Oneal,&nbsp;Geary County Booking Photos , arrested 08/28" />
 <figcaption>David Oneal,&nbsp;Geary County Booking Photos , arrested 08/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756491920145.jpeg" alt="Phillip White,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 08/28" />
 <figcaption>Phillip White,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 08/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756491935826.jpeg" alt="James Sheetz, Criminal trespass; Stalking; Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 - pocket picking, arrested 08/28" />
 <figcaption>James Sheetz, Criminal trespass; Stalking; Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 - pocket picking, arrested 08/28</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Whitney Lariviere, Probation violation, arrested 08/26David Burke, Failure to appear, arrested 08/26Frederick Swinson, Failure to appear (Three counts), arrested 08/26Cinderella Jackson, Failure to appear, arrested 08/26Brenda Heyen, Outside warrant, arrested 08/26Deontae Darby, Assault; Domestic battery, arrested 08/27Kimari Whitney, Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 (Pocket picking), arrested 08/27Devon Foggs, Military housed, arrested 08/28Jai're Taylor, Juvenile; Violation of condition of probation or placement, arrested 08/29Desean Crowley Williams, Interference with LEO; Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 - pocket picking, arrested 08/29Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Geary County Booking Photos Aug. 27-29

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with the death of a dog and alleged abuse of another dog at a home in Ogden.

The Riley County&nbsp; Police Department received several calls over the summer about alleged negligence in the care of dogs at a home in the 3700 Block of Saddle Horn Trail, according to RCPD spokesman Josha Kinder.&nbsp; Last week police located a dog deceased outside the home.

Just before 4p.m. August 27, police executed a search warrant at the home and found&nbsp;another dog in the home malnourished.

As a result,&nbsp; police arrested 35-year-old Marquies Collins on requested charges for cruelty to animals. Collins met the requirement of a $1,000 bond and is no longer confined in the Riley County Jail.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with the death of a dog and alleged abuse of another dog at a home in Ogden.The Riley County&nbsp; Police Department received several calls over the summer about alleged negligence in the care of dogs at a home in the 3700 Block of Saddle Horn Trail, according to RCPD spokesman Josha Kinder.&nbsp; Last week police located a dog deceased outside the home.Just before 4p.m. August 27, police executed a search warrant at the home and found&nbsp;another dog in the home malnourished.As a result,&nbsp; police arrested 35-year-old Marquies Collins on requested charges for cruelty to animals. Collins met the requirement of a $1,000 bond and is no longer confined in the Riley County Jail.

Riley County man accused of cruelty to dogs at his home

RENO COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged violent crime in Hutchinson and have a Kansas felon in custody.

Just after 9a.m. Thursday, police responded to the 300 block of East 3rd Avenue in Hutchinson following reports of a disturbance, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.. 

A passing motorist had called 911, reporting that a female pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk. When officers arrived on scene, they located the injured woman. She had visible injuries and was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment. 

The investigation led to identifying a suspect known to the victim. Police arrested 42-year-old&nbsp; Jeffrey L. McCaskey of Hutchinson on a requested charge of Attempted First Degree Homicide.&nbsp; He has four previous drug related convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Anyone who may have seen a disturbance in the 300 block of E 3rd Avenue or has cameras in the area, is urged to contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, your local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. You can also use the P3Tips App on your smartphone, or text RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to an anonymous tip form. (Msg frequency varies. Msg &amp; data rates may apply. Text HELP for help and STOP to cancel. P3 Terms and Privacy Policy.) 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756431295263.jpeg" alt="McCaskey Photo Reno County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>McCaskey Photo Reno County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged violent crime in Hutchinson and have a Kansas felon in custody.Just after 9a.m. Thursday, police responded to the 300 block of East 3rd Avenue in Hutchinson following reports of a disturbance, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.. A passing motorist had called 911, reporting that a female pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk. When officers arrived on scene, they located the injured woman. She had visible injuries and was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment. The investigation led to identifying a suspect known to the victim. Police arrested 42-year-old&nbsp; Jeffrey L. McCaskey of Hutchinson on a requested charge of Attempted First Degree Homicide.&nbsp; He has four previous drug related convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Anyone who may have seen a disturbance in the 300 block of E 3rd Avenue or has cameras in the area, is urged to contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, your local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. You can also use the P3Tips App on your smartphone, or text RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to an anonymous tip form. (Msg frequency varies. Msg &amp; data rates may apply. Text HELP for help and STOP to cancel. P3 Terms and Privacy Policy.)

Police: Driver intentionally struck Kan. woman walking on sidewalk

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating an alleged school threat and have made an arrest.

On Thursday, a deputy-school resource officer with the Shawnee County sheriff’s office received information about a threat to a school. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a student had made threatening comments regarding bringing a firearm to the school,&nbsp; according to Deputy Abigail Christian. 

The 15-year-old was arrested and booked into the Shawnee Co. Juvenile Detention Center on a requested charge of criminal threat.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the school involved.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating an alleged school threat and have made an arrest.On Thursday, a deputy-school resource officer with the Shawnee County sheriff’s office received information about a threat to a school. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a student had made threatening comments regarding bringing a firearm to the school,&nbsp; according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The 15-year-old was arrested and booked into the Shawnee Co. Juvenile Detention Center on a requested charge of criminal threat.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the school involved.

15-year-old arrested for alleged gun threat at Kansas school

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 7:30 August 25, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a white 2020 Dodge Charger with an expired license plate near NW Grant Street and NW Jackson Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, a K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located.&nbsp; Deputies arrested 27-year-old Rachael R. Ratzloff of Topeka on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Vehicles; operate a vehicle without registration or with an expired tag and Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756154206554.png" alt="Ratzloff-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Ratzloff-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 7:30 August 25, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a white 2020 Dodge Charger with an expired license plate near NW Grant Street and NW Jackson Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, a K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located.&nbsp; Deputies arrested 27-year-old Rachael R. Ratzloff of Topeka on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Vehicles; operate a vehicle without registration or with an expired tag and Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license

Kansas woman without driver's license caught transporting drugs

LYON COUNTY — Police Detectives took two 14-year-old boys into custody in connection with the Attempted Aggravated Robbery that occurred around 1:30am August 17, in the 1100 block of E 12th Avenue in Emporia.

After receiving a Crime Stoppers Tip early last week, detectives gained traction in the investigation. A gun and knife, believed to be used in the attempted robbery, were recovered as part of the investigation. The gun had been reported stolen prior to the attempted robbery.

&nbsp;Police did not released the names of the two teen suspects.

The Emporia Police Department thanked the public and Lyon County Crime Stoppers for their assistance in solving the crime.

LYON COUNTY — Police Detectives took two 14-year-old boys into custody in connection with the Attempted Aggravated Robbery that occurred around 1:30am August 17, in the 1100 block of E 12th Avenue in Emporia.After receiving a Crime Stoppers Tip early last week, detectives gained traction in the investigation. A gun and knife, believed to be used in the attempted robbery, were recovered as part of the investigation. The gun had been reported stolen prior to the attempted robbery.&nbsp;Police did not released the names of the two teen suspects.The Emporia Police Department thanked the public and Lyon County Crime Stoppers for their assistance in solving the crime.

Tip led to arrest of 14-year-olds for Kansas armed robbery

Riley County—Law enforcement investigating an alleged violent crime in Manhattan have a suspect in custody.

Just after 9a.m. Wenesday, police arrested 36-year-old Ivan Krdzic of Santa Rosa, California, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Krdzic is being held on a $200,000 bond on a Riley County District Court warrant on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated kidnapping and criminal threat. This warrant stems from two reports filed in June 2025.&nbsp;

Riley County—Law enforcement investigating an alleged violent crime in Manhattan have a suspect in custody.Just after 9a.m. Wenesday, police arrested 36-year-old Ivan Krdzic of Santa Rosa, California, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Krdzic is being held on a $200,000 bond on a Riley County District Court warrant on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated kidnapping and criminal threat. This warrant stems from two reports filed in June 2025.&nbsp;

RCPD: California man accused of kidnapping, criminal threat

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating an alleged violent crime that occurred in July have a suspect in custody.

Just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday, police arrested 19-year-old Chase Meinholdt, 19 Manhattan, in the 1300 block of Vattier in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

$305,000 bond on requested charges of attempted murder in the first degree, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, burglary, distribution of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating an alleged violent crime that occurred in July have a suspect in custody. Just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday, police arrested 19-year-old Chase Meinholdt, 19 Manhattan, in the 1300 block of Vattier in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.$305,000 bond on requested charges of attempted murder in the first degree, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, burglary, distribution of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

RCPD: Suspect in violent, July burglary captured 

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Representatives of judicial districts from across the state gathered in Hays on Tuesday and Wednesday for a mental health summit.

Seventy percent of people who are incarcerated in the United States have a mental illness or substance abuse problem or both.

The Hon. Steven Leifman from Florida told the group, "We should create specialty courts for the 30% of people who don't have mental illness or substance abuse."

There are 19 times more people who have mental illnesses in jails and prisons than in civil treatment programs.

He said the people who do have mental illness and substance abuse issues should be placed in therapeutic situations.

Leifman said the United States is failing at dealing with people who have mental illness, and it is costing taxpayers millions of dollars to run a broken system.

The United States has 4% of the world's population and 25% of the incarcerated people, resulting in $1 trillion in direct and indirect costs per year.&nbsp;

Leifman had the opportunity to visit&nbsp;Trieste, Italy, where he said the community is doing it right.

They virtually have no homelessness. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in jails. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in their forensic hospitals, and they have very few people in their civil hospitals," he said.

Last year, out of 40,000 patients, they only filed 100 cases for civil commitment.

"We do that every day in Miami," he said.

"First, they don't define people by their mental illnesses," he said. "You're not the crazy guy that lives down the street. You are John Smith, who just happens to have a mental illness. Just like you might be John Smith, who just happens to have heart disease or cancer."

When someone has a mental health episode, a doctor immediately goes to that person's home and begins treatment immediately. If the person can't stay at home, they find them housing and assign them three case managers, so they are covered 24 hours until they are stable. They are placed on medication and monitored, but not hospitalized.

As soon as the person begins to recover, they start to try to give them their lives back.

Instead of a state hospital, they have a supportive employment program that includes a radio station, a restaurant and a chic clothing manufacturing operation.

"You walk around the campus, and you don't know the difference between the staff and the patients," he said.

"They have a reason to get up every single day and participate,"&nbsp;Leifman said.

"It is a truly remarkable system of care that actually promotes recovery, and there's absolutely no reason why we can't scale that type of system here in the United States. Today, in the United States, we basically do the opposite," he said.

People remain on the streets, sometimes psychotic, for decades.

"We have been so bad about it that the courts have ruled that the way we do it is basically unconstitutional, enormously unsuccessful and enormously expensive without any positive measurable outcomes," he said.

He said the earlier we treat mental illness, the better the outcomes will be.

He called the treatment of people with serious mental illnesses within the judicial system the greatest public policy failure.

"The fact that we have applied the criminal justice model to a disease as opposed to a population health model explains why we have failed so miserably,"&nbsp;Leifman said.

Leifman's first experience with the mental health system was when he was 17 and working as an intern for a state senator's office.

He was sent to the state mental hospital to investigate claims that a young man was being mistreated.

He found the man tied in four-point restraints, screaming and moaning and about 100 pounds overweight from being injected with Thorazine.

In reading his file and talking to staff, he learned the young man was not psychotic, but autistic. In the basement, he also saw naked men covered in their own feces being hosed down like they were animals in a zoo.

The state senator's office was able to get the young man with autism placed in a group home. However, thewhat&nbsp;

Eventually, Leifman became a judge in Miami.

The city went from having one wing on one floor of the jail dedicated to people who had mental illness to&nbsp;having three dedicated floors to house people who had mental illness.

"When I became a judge, I had no idea that I was becoming the gatekeeper to the largest psychiatric facility in the state of Florida, the Dade County Jail," he said.

Seventy to 80% of the inmates have a mental health diagnosis and are in immediate need of treatment, he said.

Leifman was eventually given a special assignment to work on mental health issues within the Florida court system. He found the state was spending a third of its mental health budget, $250 million, to restore competency to 2,500 to 3,000 people, when about 160,000 people at the time of their arrest needed acute mental health care and weren't getting it.

After spending so many resources on this small population, either the charges were dropped, they were given credit for time served and were released, or they received probation.

They ended up back on the streets, often psychotic, with no access to treatment, and were sometimes rearrested before they made it out of the parking lot.

Leifman shared the story of Tristan Murphy, who suffered from schizophrenia. He wasn't violent, but had good and bad days, depending on whether he took his medication.

One day, he drove his truck into a pond near the sheriff's office. He was arrested and convicted of felony littering.

He was placed on a work detail while incarcerated. His bunkmates noted he was deteriorating mentally. However, corrections officers continued to give him access to tools, including a chainsaw for his work detail. One day, he took a chainsaw to his neck, ending his life.

Leifman said he was no threat to anyone other than himself. He should never have been arrested. He should have been diverted into treatment, Leifman said.

The governor of Florida, a few weeks ago, signed the Tristin Murphy Act, which expands the Miami mental health diversion program statewide.

"We shouldn't need that kind of horror to get the attention of policymakers," he said, "because we all know that the way we handle individuals with these illnesses is wrong and doesn't really work."

He said people who have mental illnesses are less dangerous than the general population and a lot less dangerous than the general population when they are on medication. They are more likely to be the victims of violent crime than the perpetrators.

"We also know that recovery rates for people with mental illness, in many cases, are much better than heart disease and diabetes,"&nbsp;Leifman said. "These are not terminal illnesses. They are treatable illnesses."

People with schizophrenia have higher rates of heart disease and cancer because untreated schizophrenia results in a depletion of the brain chemical dopamine.&nbsp;

They feel awful,&nbsp;Leifman said, so they often chain smoke because the nicotine helps cognition and helps them feel better.

When these people end up in jail, not only do taxpayers have to pay for treatment of the mental illness, but also severe physical health concerns as a result of the mental illness going untreated, Leifman said.

"The good news is that this is a very fixable system," he said.

The judicial system and mental health systems were developed when the most acutely ill were still in state hospitals. The community mental health systems were designed to handle people who have moderate mental illness,&nbsp;Leifman said.

The hospitals were shut down. The U.S. adopted the war on crime and sentencing guidelines and drastically cut funds for low-income housing, and the population of the acute mentally ill was thrown into communities that were not prepared for them, he said.

"Instead of blaming themselves for not developing an appropriate system of care, we end up blaming this population, and we use the justice system to punish them, and that has not worked out too well," Leifman said.

He said our society would never allow people to be treated in primary care as we treat people with mental illnesses.&nbsp;

"If you threw people who had primary care illnesses out of hospitals in the middle of the night like we do people with mental illnesses, you'd get arrested," he said.

&nbsp;Leifman said this is a national issue that needs national money, but the solutions can start at the local level.

"Each community needs to take a good, hard look at how they are doing things, and develop collaborative agreements to alter and restructure how we approach this population," he said.

Miami put to gether a two-part approach, pre-arrest and post-arrest.

This included Crisis Intervention Teams, which include specially trained law enforcement officers to respond when someone is having a mental health episode. This often has resulted in people being diverted into treatment instead of arrest&nbsp;

In 10 years, two Crisis Intervention Teams responded to more than 105,000 calls and made fewer than 200 arrests.

Overall arrests plummeted. Dade County closed one of its jails, saving $168 million. Police shootings almost stopped.

The post-arrest program eliminated many of the time-consuming competency evaluations in favor of bringing these individuals into treatment as soon as possible.

Assisted Outpatient Treatment programs were created, also known as AOT. Hays has had an AOT program since 2022.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8abbbbb5-b093-4c36-bc34-50be0815125d">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County mental health court pilot sees success in first year.</a>

And peers were enlisted to help people navigate the system and encourage work toward recovery.

Recidivism rates for misdemeanor cases decreased from 75% to 20% for individuals participating in these programs. The treatment model proved so effective that it was expanded to include nonviolent felony cases. Recidivism rates decreased from 75% to 6%.

Continuing care was still needed for individuals with the most acute illnesses, so Dade County recently passed a bond issue to build a facility for these individuals based on the Trieste model.

It offers wrap-around services, including crisis stabilization, primary care, a dental clinic, a podiatry clinic, an eye clinic, short-term residential care, tattoo removal, a day program, a supportive employment program, a computer lab, a GED program, and a courtroom that can handle both civil and criminal cases onsite.

"Not one person, not one party, not one institution created this mess. Not one person, party or institution will fix it. It takes all of us in this room to start looking at our systems and determine how there is a better way to run this system," Leifman said.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostRepresentatives of judicial districts from across the state gathered in Hays on Tuesday and Wednesday for a mental health summit.Seventy percent of people who are incarcerated in the United States have a mental illness or substance abuse problem or both.The Hon. Steven Leifman from Florida told the group, "We should create specialty courts for the 30% of people who don't have mental illness or substance abuse."There are 19 times more people who have mental illnesses in jails and prisons than in civil treatment programs.He said the people who do have mental illness and substance abuse issues should be placed in therapeutic situations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756322262554.jpeg" alt="The Hon. Steven Leifman from Florida discusses his experiences in the judicial system in Florida and Dade County at the 2025 Kansas Mental Health Summit on Tuesday at Fort Hays State University. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Hon. Steven Leifman from Florida discusses his experiences in the judicial system in Florida and Dade County at the 2025 Kansas Mental Health Summit on Tuesday at Fort Hays State University. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Leifman said the United States is failing at dealing with people who have mental illness, and it is costing taxpayers millions of dollars to run a broken system.The United States has 4% of the world's population and 25% of the incarcerated people, resulting in $1 trillion in direct and indirect costs per year.&nbsp;Leifman had the opportunity to visit&nbsp;Trieste, Italy, where he said the community is doing it right.They virtually have no homelessness. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in jails. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in their forensic hospitals, and they have very few people in their civil hospitals," he said.Last year, out of 40,000 patients, they only filed 100 cases for civil commitment."We do that every day in Miami," he said."First, they don't define people by their mental illnesses," he said. "You're not the crazy guy that lives down the street. You are John Smith, who just happens to have a mental illness. Just like you might be John Smith, who just happens to have heart disease or cancer."When someone has a mental health episode, a doctor immediately goes to that person's home and begins treatment immediately. If the person can't stay at home, they find them housing and assign them three case managers, so they are covered 24 hours until they are stable. They are placed on medication and monitored, but not hospitalized.As soon as the person begins to recover, they start to try to give them their lives back.Instead of a state hospital, they have a supportive employment program that includes a radio station, a restaurant and a chic clothing manufacturing operation."You walk around the campus, and you don't know the difference between the staff and the patients," he said."They have a reason to get up every single day and participate,"&nbsp;Leifman said."It is a truly remarkable system of care that actually promotes recovery, and there's absolutely no reason why we can't scale that type of system here in the United States. Today, in the United States, we basically do the opposite," he said.People remain on the streets, sometimes psychotic, for decades."We have been so bad about it that the courts have ruled that the way we do it is basically unconstitutional, enormously unsuccessful and enormously expensive without any positive measurable outcomes," he said.He said the earlier we treat mental illness, the better the outcomes will be.He called the treatment of people with serious mental illnesses within the judicial system the greatest public policy failure."The fact that we have applied the criminal justice model to a disease as opposed to a population health model explains why we have failed so miserably,"&nbsp;Leifman said.Leifman's first experience with the mental health system was when he was 17 and working as an intern for a state senator's office.He was sent to the state mental hospital to investigate claims that a young man was being mistreated.He found the man tied in four-point restraints, screaming and moaning and about 100 pounds overweight from being injected with Thorazine.In reading his file and talking to staff, he learned the young man was not psychotic, but autistic. In the basement, he also saw naked men covered in their own feces being hosed down like they were animals in a zoo.The state senator's office was able to get the young man with autism placed in a group home. However, thewhat&nbsp;Eventually, Leifman became a judge in Miami.The city went from having one wing on one floor of the jail dedicated to people who had mental illness to&nbsp;having three dedicated floors to house people who had mental illness."When I became a judge, I had no idea that I was becoming the gatekeeper to the largest psychiatric facility in the state of Florida, the Dade County Jail," he said.Seventy to 80% of the inmates have a mental health diagnosis and are in immediate need of treatment, he said.Leifman was eventually given a special assignment to work on mental health issues within the Florida court system. He found the state was spending a third of its mental health budget, $250 million, to restore competency to 2,500 to 3,000 people, when about 160,000 people at the time of their arrest needed acute mental health care and weren't getting it.After spending so many resources on this small population, either the charges were dropped, they were given credit for time served and were released, or they received probation.They ended up back on the streets, often psychotic, with no access to treatment, and were sometimes rearrested before they made it out of the parking lot.Leifman shared the story of Tristan Murphy, who suffered from schizophrenia. He wasn't violent, but had good and bad days, depending on whether he took his medication.One day, he drove his truck into a pond near the sheriff's office. He was arrested and convicted of felony littering.He was placed on a work detail while incarcerated. His bunkmates noted he was deteriorating mentally. However, corrections officers continued to give him access to tools, including a chainsaw for his work detail. One day, he took a chainsaw to his neck, ending his life.Leifman said he was no threat to anyone other than himself. He should never have been arrested. He should have been diverted into treatment, Leifman said.The governor of Florida, a few weeks ago, signed the Tristin Murphy Act, which expands the Miami mental health diversion program statewide."We shouldn't need that kind of horror to get the attention of policymakers," he said, "because we all know that the way we handle individuals with these illnesses is wrong and doesn't really work."He said people who have mental illnesses are less dangerous than the general population and a lot less dangerous than the general population when they are on medication. They are more likely to be the victims of violent crime than the perpetrators."We also know that recovery rates for people with mental illness, in many cases, are much better than heart disease and diabetes,"&nbsp;Leifman said. "These are not terminal illnesses. They are treatable illnesses."People with schizophrenia have higher rates of heart disease and cancer because untreated schizophrenia results in a depletion of the brain chemical dopamine.&nbsp;They feel awful,&nbsp;Leifman said, so they often chain smoke because the nicotine helps cognition and helps them feel better.When these people end up in jail, not only do taxpayers have to pay for treatment of the mental illness, but also severe physical health concerns as a result of the mental illness going untreated, Leifman said."The good news is that this is a very fixable system," he said.The judicial system and mental health systems were developed when the most acutely ill were still in state hospitals. The community mental health systems were designed to handle people who have moderate mental illness,&nbsp;Leifman said.The hospitals were shut down. The U.S. adopted the war on crime and sentencing guidelines and drastically cut funds for low-income housing, and the population of the acute mentally ill was thrown into communities that were not prepared for them, he said."Instead of blaming themselves for not developing an appropriate system of care, we end up blaming this population, and we use the justice system to punish them, and that has not worked out too well," Leifman said.He said our society would never allow people to be treated in primary care as we treat people with mental illnesses.&nbsp;"If you threw people who had primary care illnesses out of hospitals in the middle of the night like we do people with mental illnesses, you'd get arrested," he said.&nbsp;Leifman said this is a national issue that needs national money, but the solutions can start at the local level."Each community needs to take a good, hard look at how they are doing things, and develop collaborative agreements to alter and restructure how we approach this population," he said.Miami put to gether a two-part approach, pre-arrest and post-arrest.This included Crisis Intervention Teams, which include specially trained law enforcement officers to respond when someone is having a mental health episode. This often has resulted in people being diverted into treatment instead of arrest&nbsp;In 10 years, two Crisis Intervention Teams responded to more than 105,000 calls and made fewer than 200 arrests.Overall arrests plummeted. Dade County closed one of its jails, saving $168 million. Police shootings almost stopped.The post-arrest program eliminated many of the time-consuming competency evaluations in favor of bringing these individuals into treatment as soon as possible.Assisted Outpatient Treatment programs were created, also known as AOT. Hays has had an AOT program since 2022.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8abbbbb5-b093-4c36-bc34-50be0815125d">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County mental health court pilot sees success in first year.</a>And peers were enlisted to help people navigate the system and encourage work toward recovery.Recidivism rates for misdemeanor cases decreased from 75% to 20% for individuals participating in these programs. The treatment model proved so effective that it was expanded to include nonviolent felony cases. Recidivism rates decreased from 75% to 6%.Continuing care was still needed for individuals with the most acute illnesses, so Dade County recently passed a bond issue to build a facility for these individuals based on the Trieste model.It offers wrap-around services, including crisis stabilization, primary care, a dental clinic, a podiatry clinic, an eye clinic, short-term residential care, tattoo removal, a day program, a supportive employment program, a computer lab, a GED program, and a courtroom that can handle both civil and criminal cases onsite."Not one person, not one party, not one institution created this mess. Not one person, party or institution will fix it. It takes all of us in this room to start looking at our systems and determine how there is a better way to run this system," Leifman said.

Kansas judicial summit at FHSU focuses on treatment over incarceration

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted his role in a drug overdose death is going to prison.

On August 21, Jude Christina Dunn Gyllenbord sentenced 22-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Ahmad Mohammed Karraz to 144 months for the drug distribution death of 24-year-old Kylie Liston, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In June Karraz pleaded guilty to distribution of drugs causing death and use of a communication facility during a drug felony.

In November, the Johnson County district attorney's office charged Karraz and 22-year-old Ronaley Arriola in connection with the Liston's Death.&nbsp; &nbsp; They were arrested after an investigation by the Overland&nbsp; Park Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749153492662.png" alt="Karraz photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Karraz photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted his role in a drug overdose death is going to prison.On August 21, Jude Christina Dunn Gyllenbord sentenced 22-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Ahmad Mohammed Karraz to 144 months for the drug distribution death of 24-year-old Kylie Liston, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755983010214.png" alt="Kylie Ann Liston photo courtesy Johnson County Funeral Chapel" />
 <figcaption>Kylie Ann Liston photo courtesy Johnson County Funeral Chapel</figcaption>
 </figure>In June Karraz pleaded guilty to distribution of drugs causing death and use of a communication facility during a drug felony.In November, the Johnson County district attorney's office charged Karraz and 22-year-old Ronaley Arriola in connection with the Liston's Death.&nbsp; &nbsp; They were arrested after an investigation by the Overland&nbsp; Park Police Department.

Prison for drug deal death of 24-year-old Kansas woman

CLOUD COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after a shooting during a robbery in central Kansas.

On Tuesday, a state parole officer contacted Salina Police about the search for&nbsp;45-year old Miralis Cozart who had a warrant for arrest in connection with a shooting on August 17 in Concordia, according to a media release from Concordia Police. Witnesses identified Cozart as a suspect.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The victim was transported to the Concordia hospital and was later transferred to another medical facility, to receive extensive medical treatment for his injuries.

Police in Salina located Cozart in the 200 block of S. Broadway. Officers arrested Cozart without incident and booked him into the Saline County on requested charges of 1st Degree Attempted Murder, Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon and Attempted Robbery with a Deadly Weapon.

Cozart has previous convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal weapons possession and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756301880689.jpeg" alt="Cozart photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Cozart photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>CLOUD COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after a shooting during a robbery in central Kansas.On Tuesday, a state parole officer contacted Salina Police about the search for&nbsp;45-year old Miralis Cozart who had a warrant for arrest in connection with a shooting on August 17 in Concordia, according to a media release from Concordia Police. Witnesses identified Cozart as a suspect.&nbsp;&nbsp;The victim was transported to the Concordia hospital and was later transferred to another medical facility, to receive extensive medical treatment for his injuries.Police in Salina located Cozart in the 200 block of S. Broadway. Officers arrested Cozart without incident and booked him into the Saline County on requested charges of 1st Degree Attempted Murder, Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon and Attempted Robbery with a Deadly Weapon.Cozart has previous convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal weapons possession and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Man on parole accused of shooting victim during central Kan. robbery 

FINNEY COUNTY —Police arrested a&nbsp;hit-and-run suspect Saturday night after he fled a crash and assaulting Officers during the arrest. 

Just after 10:30 p.m., police responded to a reported hit-and-run crash near 4101 E. US Highway 50, according to a media release.

Police learned that a pickup truck was speeding when it struck a tree, and the driver ran from the crash. Officers quickly located the suspect, identified as Jorge Cardenas, 22, in the area. 

When approached, Cardenas attempted to run and became combative as he was apprehended, striking Officers before being taken into custody. 

Cardenas was booked into the Finney County Jail on requested charges, including Battery Law enforcement officer, Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Transporting an Open Container, and Duty to Report Accidents. Officers were not injured and returned to duty.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756219106145.png" alt="Cardenas photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Cardenas photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Police arrested a&nbsp;hit-and-run suspect Saturday night after he fled a crash and assaulting Officers during the arrest. Just after 10:30 p.m., police responded to a reported hit-and-run crash near 4101 E. US Highway 50, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756218347510.jpeg" alt="Photo Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Police learned that a pickup truck was speeding when it struck a tree, and the driver ran from the crash. Officers quickly located the suspect, identified as Jorge Cardenas, 22, in the area. When approached, Cardenas attempted to run and became combative as he was apprehended, striking Officers before being taken into custody. Cardenas was booked into the Finney County Jail on requested charges, including Battery Law enforcement officer, Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Transporting an Open Container, and Duty to Report Accidents. Officers were not injured and returned to duty.

Police: Suspect in SW Kansas struck officers after running from crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the theft of an expensive bicycle have made an arrest.

On August 8,&nbsp; a 76 year old man from Williamsburg, Virginia stopped in Atchison, Kansas, as h traveled across America on his&nbsp;Surly Disc Trucker bicycle on his way to Oregon, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The bicycle was stolen at 11:00AM in the 700 block Commercial as the victim was in a local laundromat. Police recovered the bicycle a short time later just across the bridge in Missouri. 

Just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 50-year-old Jody B. Erickson of Atchison in the 700 block M Street on a District Court warrant charging him with felony theft. Erickson was taken to the County Jail and is being held on a $10,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756222412660.png" alt="Erickson Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Erickson Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the theft of an expensive bicycle have made an arrest.On August 8,&nbsp; a 76 year old man from Williamsburg, Virginia stopped in Atchison, Kansas, as h traveled across America on his&nbsp;Surly Disc Trucker bicycle on his way to Oregon, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.The bicycle was stolen at 11:00AM in the 700 block Commercial as the victim was in a local laundromat. Police recovered the bicycle a short time later just across the bridge in Missouri. Just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 50-year-old Jody B. Erickson of Atchison in the 700 block M Street on a District Court warrant charging him with felony theft. Erickson was taken to the County Jail and is being held on a $10,000 bond.

Kan. man accused of bicycle theft from man riding cross-county

CHEYENNE COUNTY, Nebraska —Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested a California man after finding 60 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Cheyenne County,&nbsp;

At approximately 9:00 p.m. August 18, a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Honda CRV for driving on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near Sidney, according to a statement from the Nebraska State Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers found dozens of packages of suspected methamphetamine in a suitcase. The total weight of the packages was 60 pounds.

The driver, Elmer Posadas Castro, 29, of El Monte, California was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. He was lodged in Cheyenne County Jail.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756141186399.jpeg" alt="Photo Nebraska State Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>CHEYENNE COUNTY, Nebraska —Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested a California man after finding 60 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Cheyenne County,&nbsp;At approximately 9:00 p.m. August 18, a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Honda CRV for driving on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near Sidney, according to a statement from the Nebraska State Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.During a search of the vehicle, troopers found dozens of packages of suspected methamphetamine in a suitcase. The total weight of the packages was 60 pounds.The driver, Elmer Posadas Castro, 29, of El Monte, California was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. He was lodged in Cheyenne County Jail.&nbsp;

Troopers found 60 pounds of meth during traffic stop

Cassondra Weis, Failure to appear (Two counts), arrested 08/25

Tessence Richards-Foster, Failure to appear, arrested 08/25

Zyair Banister, Falsely reporting a crime, arrested 08/25

Kolby Hughston, Probation violation, arrested 08/25

Christopher Royse, Outside warrant, arrested 08/25

Latravious Murray, Harassment by telecom device; Transmit obscene comment/image/text; Unlawful restraint; Unlawful damage to property, arrested 08/25

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756311937466.jpeg" alt="Derek Brown, Battery on LEO; Physical contact with county or city officer on duty; Ignition interlock device, Operate a car without a required device; Driving under the influence (4th or subsequent conviction); Theft&nbsp; &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 pocket picking, arrested 08/25" />
 <figcaption>Derek Brown, Battery on LEO; Physical contact with county or city officer on duty; Ignition interlock device, Operate a car without a required device; Driving under the influence (4th or subsequent conviction); Theft&nbsp; &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 pocket picking, arrested 08/25</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Cassondra Weis, Failure to appear (Two counts), arrested 08/25Tessence Richards-Foster, Failure to appear, arrested 08/25Zyair Banister, Falsely reporting a crime, arrested 08/25Kolby Hughston, Probation violation, arrested 08/25Christopher Royse, Outside warrant, arrested 08/25Latravious Murray, Harassment by telecom device; Transmit obscene comment/image/text; Unlawful restraint; Unlawful damage to property, arrested 08/25Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Geary County Booking Photos Aug. 26

WYANDOTTE COUNTY&nbsp; – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating a vehicle pursuit that occurred Tuesday morning in Kansas City, Kansas, resulting in an officer being struck and killed.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., officers from the Kansas City, Kansas were dispatched near the 7700 block of Everett Ave, regarding shots being fired.

At approximately 12:40 a.m., officers located an unconscious man in the driver’s seat of a truck. As officers approached the driver, he woke up and fled the scene.

The driver, later identified as Dennis Mitchell III, 31, of Kansas City, was pursued by law enforcement. He abandoned the truck, entered another vehicle, and continued fleeing from officers.

During the pursuit, two Kansas City, Kansas officers exited their vehicle to stage stop sticks in the 7200 block of State Ave. 

Mitchell drove toward an officer, striking him before continuing to flee the area. The officer, identified as Hunter Simoncic, 26, was struck and transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

At approximately 12:55 a.m., Mitchell crashed the truck near the 6400 block of Kaw Driver. He was taken into custody and was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center for examination. Mitchell was treated, released and transported to the Wyandotte County Jail. It was later learned both trucks had been reported stolen.

Mitchell was arrested on requested charges of first-degree murder, vehicular homicide, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, theft, criminal possession of a firearm, and aggravated failure to appear. Formal charges are pending.

When this investigation concludes case findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for determination of charges. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756223822488.png" alt="Mitchell photo Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Mitchell photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY&nbsp; – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating a vehicle pursuit that occurred Tuesday morning in Kansas City, Kansas, resulting in an officer being struck and killed.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKCKPolice%2Fvideos%2F786148240688021%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>At approximately 12:30 a.m., officers from the Kansas City, Kansas were dispatched near the 7700 block of Everett Ave, regarding shots being fired.At approximately 12:40 a.m., officers located an unconscious man in the driver’s seat of a truck. As officers approached the driver, he woke up and fled the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756227822168.png" alt="Officer Hunter Simoncic-courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Officer Hunter Simoncic-courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, later identified as Dennis Mitchell III, 31, of Kansas City, was pursued by law enforcement. He abandoned the truck, entered another vehicle, and continued fleeing from officers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756216912404.png" alt="Law enforcement on the scene of the investigation early Tuesday -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement on the scene of the investigation early Tuesday -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>During the pursuit, two Kansas City, Kansas officers exited their vehicle to stage stop sticks in the 7200 block of State Ave. Mitchell drove toward an officer, striking him before continuing to flee the area. The officer, identified as Hunter Simoncic, 26, was struck and transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.At approximately 12:55 a.m., Mitchell crashed the truck near the 6400 block of Kaw Driver. He was taken into custody and was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center for examination. Mitchell was treated, released and transported to the Wyandotte County Jail. It was later learned both trucks had been reported stolen.Mitchell was arrested on requested charges of first-degree murder, vehicular homicide, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, theft, criminal possession of a firearm, and aggravated failure to appear. Formal charges are pending.When this investigation concludes case findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for determination of charges. The investigation is ongoing.

Police ID Kan. officer struck, killed by suspect vehicle during chase

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects for alleged crimes involving a teen.

Just after 10a.m. Monday,&nbsp;Officers filed a report for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and contributing to child's misconduct in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A 15-year-old girl was listed as the victim and a 21-year-old man and 21-year-old woman known to the victim were listed as suspects. 

Just after 1p.m. on Monday police arrested 21-year-old Benjamin Leo of Manhattan on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and contributing to child misconduct.&nbsp; Police also arrested 21-year-old Nora Yasir of Junction City on a requested charge of contributing to child's misconduct. 

Leo met the requirement of a&nbsp; $25,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

Yasir remains jailed on a $5,000 bond, according to the RCPD.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects for alleged crimes involving a teen.Just after 10a.m. Monday,&nbsp;Officers filed a report for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and contributing to child's misconduct in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A 15-year-old girl was listed as the victim and a 21-year-old man and 21-year-old woman known to the victim were listed as suspects. Just after 1p.m. on Monday police arrested 21-year-old Benjamin Leo of Manhattan on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and contributing to child misconduct.&nbsp; Police also arrested 21-year-old Nora Yasir of Junction City on a requested charge of contributing to child's misconduct. Leo met the requirement of a&nbsp; $25,000 bond and is no longer in custody.Yasir remains jailed on a $5,000 bond, according to the RCPD.

RCPD: 2 accused of crimes involving 15-year-old girl

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/taking-steps-to-end-cashless-bail-to-protect-americans/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;on Monday threatening to withhold or revoke federal funding to local and state governments that offer cashless bail, arguing that it is a threat to public safety.

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/taking-steps-to-end-cashless-bail-to-protect-americans/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;on Monday threatening to withhold or revoke federal funding to local and state governments that offer cashless bail, arguing that it is a threat to public safety.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> signs an Executive Order taking steps to crack down on cashless bail <a href="https://t.co/qF795onMZa">pic.twitter.com/qF795onMZa</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1959996712736452677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“No cash. Come back in a couple of months, we’ll give you a trial. You never see the person again,” he said, moments before signing the order.Attorney General Pam Bondi must submit a list of jurisdictions that have “substantially eliminated cash bail as a potential condition of pretrial release from custody for crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety and order” within 30 days, as stipulated in the order.Proponents of eliminating cash bail describe it as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-michigan-detroit-76a38e8bd1c0432103068d0837aa2a0b">penalty on poverty</a>, suggesting that the wealthy can pay their way out of jail to await trial while those with fewer financial resources have to sit it out behind bars. Critics of the cashless route&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cash-bail-criminal-justice-supreme-court-pretrial-jail-poverty-55f1d3e71714151eb19cc2fbc10677d5">have argued</a>&nbsp;that bail is a time-honored way to ensure defendants released from jail show up for court proceedings. They warn that violent criminals will be released pending trial, giving them license to commit other crimes.Here’s what to know:<h2>What it is</h2>Cashless bail refers to policies that allow people to be released from jail without paying any money while they await trial. It is an alternative to the traditional cash bail system in which which people pay money to be released and get their money back if they return to court when they are supposed to. The&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-8/" target="_blank">Eighth Amendment</a>&nbsp;of the Constitution prohibits excessive bail.<h2>Where it’s offered</h2>In 2023, Illinois became&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cash-bail-criminal-justice-supreme-court-pretrial-jail-poverty-55f1d3e71714151eb19cc2fbc10677d5">the first state</a>&nbsp;to eliminate cash bail when the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law abolishing it. The move was part of an expansive criminal justice overhaul adopted in 2021 known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/publicacts/101/PDF/101-0652.pdf" target="_blank">SAFE-T Act</a>. Under the change, a judge decides whether to release the defendant prior to their trial, weighing factors such as their criminal charges, if they could pose any danger to others and if they are considered a flight risk.A number of&nbsp;<a href="https://bailproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CLIENT-Bail-Project-Beyond-Bail-Report-FINAL-3.1.25.pdf" target="_blank">other jurisdictions</a>, including New Jersey, New Mexico and Washington, D.C., have nearly eliminated cash bail or limited its use. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/99166/supporting_individual_agency_in_the_pretrial_release_process.pdf" target="_blank">have used</a>&nbsp;practices&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/article/ending-cash-bail/" target="_blank">such as</a>&nbsp;court date reminders, transportation vouchers, flexible scheduling and on-site child care to increase court attendance for people who have been released without bail.<h2>When it’s offered</h2><a href="https://bailproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CLIENT-Bail-Project-Beyond-Bail-Report-FINAL-3.1.25.pdf" target="_blank">Policies vary</a>&nbsp;by jurisdiction, but many exclude the use of cashless bail for more serious crimes such as murder and other violent offenses. Cashless bail might also be denied if there is concern an individual might flee before trial. In some cases, it is granted automatically for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies.<h2>The impact on crime</h2>Studies have shown mixed results regarding the impact of cashless bail on crime. Many focus on the recidivism of individual defendants rather than overall crime rates.Loyola University of Chicago’s Center for Criminal Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://pfa-1yr.loyolaccj.org/" target="_blank">published a 2024 report</a>&nbsp;on Illinois’ new cashless bail policy, one year after it went into effect. It acknowledges that there is not yet enough data to know what impact the law has had on crime, but that crime in Illinois did not increase after its implementation. Violent and property crime declined in some counties.A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/bail-reform-and-public-safety" target="_blank">2024 report</a>&nbsp;published by the Brennan Center for Justice saw “no statistically significant relationship” between bail reform and crime rates. It looked at crime rate data from 2015 through 2021 for 33 cities across the U.S., 22 of which had instituted some type of bail reform. Researchers used a statistical method to determine if crime rates had diverged in those with reforms and those without. The report found that “put simply” there was no “significant difference in crime rates between cities that reformed their bail policies and those that did not.”Asked last month what data Trump was using to support his claim that cashless bail leads to increase in crime, the White House pointed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://yoloda.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Emergency-Bail-Analysis.pdf" target="_blank">2022 report</a>&nbsp;from the district attorney’s office in Yolo County, California, that looked at how a temporary cashless bail system implemented across the state to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in courts and jails impacted recidivism. It found that out of 595 individuals released between April 2020 and May 2021 under this system, 70.6% were arrested again after they were released. A little more than half were rearrested more than once.