KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly Monday shooting in Kansas City have identified the victim as 57-year-old Ruth A. Bowman.

Just after 12:30.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 50th and Bellefontaine, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.

First responders were directed to a shooting victim, later identified as Bown, unresponsive on the sidewalk north of the intersection. Officers began rendering aid and summoned EMS to the scene who declared her deceased.

Responding Officers detained two people who were at the scene when they arrived for further investigation. Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene for evidence and canvassed for witnesses.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly Monday shooting in Kansas City have identified the victim as 57-year-old Ruth A. Bowman.Just after 12:30.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 50th and Bellefontaine, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.First responders were directed to a shooting victim, later identified as Bown, unresponsive on the sidewalk north of the intersection. Officers began rendering aid and summoned EMS to the scene who declared her deceased.Responding Officers detained two people who were at the scene when they arrived for further investigation. Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene for evidence and canvassed for witnesses.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Homicide: Police ID Kansas City woman found dead on sidewalk

KANSAS CITY— Two Parsons, Kansas, men and&nbsp;Two Springfield, Missouri men and  have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy after law enforcement officers seized 100 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a vehicle being transported from California, as well as several firearms found at a Springfield residence, according to the United State's Attorney.

Dontrell Anthony Powell, 34, and his brother, Dreshawn Powell, 26, both of Springfield, and Willie Murry, Jr., 41, and Mark Monta Logan, 33, both of Parsons, were charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, on Tuesday Feb. 6. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against the defendants on Jan. 19, 2024, and contains additional charges.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the Oklahoma State Highway Patrol searched the vehicles on a car hauler at a truck stop in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Jan. 17, 2024. Officers found approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of fake pills believed to contain fentanyl hidden in a subwoofer speaker box in the cargo area of one of the cars, a Dodge Magnum. The driver of the car hauler, whom the affidavit says was not involved in the drug shipment, agreed to deliver the Dodge Magnum to its destination at a parking lot in Springfield.

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a controlled delivery later the same day. Dontrell and Dreshawn Powell arrived together and Dontrell Powell met with the driver of the car hauler. Murry and Logan arrived together soon afterward. Dontrell Powell attempted to start the Dodge Magnum, but it would not start. Murray and Logan helped him jump start the vehicle, which he then drove out of the parking lot as the other defendants followed in their vehicles. Agents followed the three vehicles to Dontrell Powell’s residence, where they were arrested.

Agents searched the residence and found, in addition to the controlled delivery from the Dodge Magnum, an AM-15 pistol, .223 ammunition, several high-capacity magazines with ammunition, more than $100,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. Agents also found a loaded Glock pistol in one of the vehicles, eight cell phones, two shards of crystal methamphetamine inside two large subwoofer boxes in the garage, four more large subwoofer boxes, and drug paraphernalia.

The federal indictment alleges that Dontrell and Dreshawn Powell, Murry, and Logan participated in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 15 to Jan. 18, 2024. In addition to the conspiracy, all four defendants are charged together in one count of attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Dontrell Powell is also charged with one count of money laundering, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Powell allegedly possessed an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 multi-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Jan. 18, 2024. Powell allegedly possessed another Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on June 12, 2022. Dontrell Powell has a prior felony conviction for possession of dangerous drugs for sale.

Murry and Logan are also charged together in one count of traveling across state lines from Kansas to Missouri with the intent to carry on or facilitate an unlawful activity (possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine).

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Oklahoma State Highway Patrol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707703900422.png" alt="Murray-photo Greene Co" />
 <figcaption>Murray-photo Greene Co</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— Two Parsons, Kansas, men and&nbsp;Two Springfield, Missouri men and have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy after law enforcement officers seized 100 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a vehicle being transported from California, as well as several firearms found at a Springfield residence, according to the United State's Attorney.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707703731016.png" alt="Logan photo Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>Logan photo Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dontrell Anthony Powell, 34, and his brother, Dreshawn Powell, 26, both of Springfield, and Willie Murry, Jr., 41, and Mark Monta Logan, 33, both of Parsons, were charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, on Tuesday Feb. 6. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against the defendants on Jan. 19, 2024, and contains additional charges.According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the Oklahoma State Highway Patrol searched the vehicles on a car hauler at a truck stop in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Jan. 17, 2024. Officers found approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of fake pills believed to contain fentanyl hidden in a subwoofer speaker box in the cargo area of one of the cars, a Dodge Magnum. The driver of the car hauler, whom the affidavit says was not involved in the drug shipment, agreed to deliver the Dodge Magnum to its destination at a parking lot in Springfield.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707703988242.png" alt="Dreshawn Powell photo Grene Co." />
 <figcaption>Dreshawn Powell photo Grene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a controlled delivery later the same day. Dontrell and Dreshawn Powell arrived together and Dontrell Powell met with the driver of the car hauler. Murry and Logan arrived together soon afterward. Dontrell Powell attempted to start the Dodge Magnum, but it would not start. Murray and Logan helped him jump start the vehicle, which he then drove out of the parking lot as the other defendants followed in their vehicles. Agents followed the three vehicles to Dontrell Powell’s residence, where they were arrested.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707704062964.png" alt="Dontrell Powell photo Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>Dontrell Powell photo Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Agents searched the residence and found, in addition to the controlled delivery from the Dodge Magnum, an AM-15 pistol, .223 ammunition, several high-capacity magazines with ammunition, more than $100,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. Agents also found a loaded Glock pistol in one of the vehicles, eight cell phones, two shards of crystal methamphetamine inside two large subwoofer boxes in the garage, four more large subwoofer boxes, and drug paraphernalia.The federal indictment alleges that Dontrell and Dreshawn Powell, Murry, and Logan participated in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 15 to Jan. 18, 2024. In addition to the conspiracy, all four defendants are charged together in one count of attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.Dontrell Powell is also charged with one count of money laundering, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Powell allegedly possessed an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 multi-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Jan. 18, 2024. Powell allegedly possessed another Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on June 12, 2022. Dontrell Powell has a prior felony conviction for possession of dangerous drugs for sale.Murry and Logan are also charged together in one count of traveling across state lines from Kansas to Missouri with the intent to carry on or facilitate an unlawful activity (possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine).The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Oklahoma State Highway Patrol.

2 Kan. men indicted: Officers seized 100 pounds of meth, illegal firearms

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A jury this week convicted a man on parole for murder in the 2019 Christmas Eve murder of his girlfriend.

On Tuesday 43-year-old Ahmad Bey was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 41-year-old Melinda Sprague, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's offie.

Just after 2p.m. on Christmas Eve in 2019, a co-worker of&nbsp; Sprague contacted police about her not showing up for work, according to Wichita Police Captain Brett Allred. Police made a missing person report.

During the investigation, police located Sprague's missing 2017 Ford Focus behind a business in the 1500 Block of East Harry in Wichita, according to Allred.&nbsp; They also located her body inside the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police developed information that led to Bey's arrest on a requested charge of first-degree murder and a Kansas Department of Corrections warrant.&nbsp; At the time, police also arrested 34-year-old Vanessa&nbsp; Waner on a requested charge of first-degree murder, according to Allred.

Police investigators learned that Sprague and Bey were in a dating relationship, according to Allred.   Bey and Waner lived together. Charges against Waner were later dismissed. 

At the time of the Sprague's murder, Bey was on parole for 2nd degree intentional murder in Crawford County in 1999.&nbsp; He is set to be sentenced on March 22.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She was reported missing on December 24, 2019 after she didn't show up for work. Her body was found in her two days later in the 1500 block of East Harry. Bey and a second suspect were booked into jail on December 27.&nbsp;

Police said Bey and Sprague had been in a relationship. A charge of interference with law enforcement against the second suspect was dismissed in February 2020, records show.

Bey is set to be sentenced on March 22. He faces jury trial in April on two counts of violating the Kansas offender registration act. At the time of Sprague's death, Bey was on parole for a second-degree murder conviction in Crawford County. He was paroled in that case on July 1, 2019.

Online jail records show Bey was also charged with trafficking contraband into a correctional facility in August 2021. A hearing in that case is also scheduled for March 22.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577465236625.png" alt="Bey-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bey-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A jury this week convicted a man on parole for murder in the 2019 Christmas Eve murder of his girlfriend.On Tuesday 43-year-old Ahmad Bey was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 41-year-old Melinda Sprague, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's offie.Just after 2p.m. on Christmas Eve in 2019, a co-worker of&nbsp; Sprague contacted police about her not showing up for work, according to Wichita Police Captain Brett Allred. Police made a missing person report.During the investigation, police located Sprague's missing 2017 Ford Focus behind a business in the 1500 Block of East Harry in Wichita, according to Allred.&nbsp; They also located her body inside the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.Police developed information that led to Bey's arrest on a requested charge of first-degree murder and a Kansas Department of Corrections warrant.&nbsp; At the time, police also arrested 34-year-old Vanessa&nbsp; Waner on a requested charge of first-degree murder, according to Allred.Police investigators learned that Sprague and Bey were in a dating relationship, according to Allred. Bey and Waner lived together. Charges against Waner were later dismissed. At the time of the Sprague's murder, Bey was on parole for 2nd degree intentional murder in Crawford County in 1999.&nbsp; He is set to be sentenced on March 22.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was reported missing on December 24, 2019 after she didn't show up for work. Her body was found in her two days later in the 1500 block of East Harry. Bey and a second suspect were booked into jail on December 27.&nbsp;Police said Bey and Sprague had been in a relationship. A charge of interference with law enforcement against the second suspect was dismissed in February 2020, records show.Bey is set to be sentenced on March 22. He faces jury trial in April on two counts of violating the Kansas offender registration act. At the time of Sprague's death, Bey was on parole for a second-degree murder conviction in Crawford County. He was paroled in that case on July 1, 2019.Online jail records show Bey was also charged with trafficking contraband into a correctional facility in August 2021. A hearing in that case is also scheduled for March 22.

Kan. man on parole for murder killed his girlfriend on Christmas Eve

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug allegations.

On Feb. 4, a&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on an Acura passenger car for a traffic infraction near 162nd and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the stop the deputy located illegal contraband.  The driver, Paula Louise Michael, 60, of Topeka was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael has three previous convictions for drug possession in 2005 and 2010, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707399598744.png" alt="Michael photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Michael photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug allegations.On Feb. 4, a&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on an Acura passenger car for a traffic infraction near 162nd and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the stop the deputy located illegal contraband. The driver, Paula Louise Michael, 60, of Topeka was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.Michael has three previous convictions for drug possession in 2005 and 2010, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Sheriff: Kansas felon had illegal drugs in her car

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-17A1.pdf">outlawed robocalls</a>&nbsp;that contain voices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-fires-artificial-intelligence-misinformation-26cabd20dcacbd68c8f38610fec39f5b">generated by artificial intelligence</a>, a decision that sends a clear message that exploiting the technology to scam people and mislead voters won’t be tolerated.

The unanimous ruling targets robocalls made with AI voice-cloning tools under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a 1991 law restricting junk calls that use artificial and prerecorded voice messages.

The announcement comes as New Hampshire authorities are advancing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-robocalls-artificial-intelligence-new-hampshire-texas-a8665277d43d05380d2c7594edf27617">their investigation</a>&nbsp;into AI-generated robocalls that mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice to discourage people from voting in the state's first-in-the-nation primary last month.

Effective immediately, the regulation empowers the FCC to fine companies that use AI voices in their calls or block the service providers that carry them. It also opens the door for call recipients to file lawsuits and gives state attorneys general a new mechanism to crack down on violators, according to the FCC.

The agency's chairwoman,&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-17A2.pdf">Jessica Rosenworcel,</a>&nbsp;said bad actors have been using AI-generated voices in robocalls to misinform voters, impersonate celebrities and extort family members.

“It seems like something from the far-off future, but this threat is already here,” Rosenworcel told The Associated Press on Wednesday as the commission was considering the regulations. “All of us could be on the receiving end of these faked calls, so that’s why we felt the time to act was now.”

Under the consumer protection law, telemarketers generally cannot use automated dialers or artificial or prerecorded voice messages to call cellphones, and they cannot make such calls to landlines without prior written consent from the call recipient.

The new ruling classifies AI-generated voices in robocalls as “artificial” and thus enforceable by the same standards, the FCC said.

Those who break the law can face steep fines, maxing out at more than $23,000 per call, the FCC said. The agency has previously used the consumer law to clamp down on robocallers interfering in elections, including imposing a $5 million fine on two conservative hoaxers for falsely warning people in predominantly Black areas that voting by mail could heighten their risk of arrest, debt collection and forced vaccination.

The law also gives call recipients the right to take legal action and potentially recover up to $1,500 in damages for each unwanted call.

Rosenworcel said the commission started looking at making robocalls with AI-generated voices illegal because it saw a rise in these types of calls. It sought public comment on the issue last November and in January, a bipartisan group of 26 state attorneys general wrote to the FCC urging it to move forward with a ruling.

Sophisticated generative AI tools, from voice-cloning software to image generators, already are in use in elections in the U.S. and around the world.

Last year, as the U.S. presidential race got underway, several campaign advertisements used AI-generated audio or imagery, and some candidates experimented with using AI chatbots to communicate with voters.

Bipartisan efforts in Congress have sought to regulate AI in political campaigns, but no federal legislation has passed, with the general election nine months away.

The AI-generated robocalls that sought to influence New Hampshire’s Jan. 23 primary election used a voice similar to Biden’s, employed his often-used phrase, “What a bunch of malarkey” and falsely suggested that voting in the primary would preclude voters from casting a ballot in November.

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said Tuesday that investigators had identified the Texas-based Life Corp. and its owner, Walter Monk as the source of the calls, which went to thousands of state residents, mostly registered Democrats. He said the calls were transmitted by another Texas-based company, Lingo Telecom.

New Hampshire issued cease-and-desist orders and subpoenas to both companies, while the Federal Communications Commission issued a cease-and-desist letter to the telecommunications company, Formella said. A task force of attorneys general in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., sent a letter to Life Corp. warning it to stop originating illegal calls immediately.

According to the FCC, both Lingo Telecom and Life Corp. have been investigated for illegal robocalls in the past. In 2003, FCC issued a citation to Life Corp. for delivering illegal pre-recorded and unsolicited advertisements to residential lines.

More recently, the task force of attorneys general has accused Lingo of being the gateway provider for 61 suspected illegal calls from overseas. The Federal Trade Commission issued a cease and desist order against Lingo’s prior corporate name, Matrix Telecom, in 2022. The next year, the task force demanded that it take steps to protect its network.

Lingo Telecom said in a statement Tuesday that it “acted immediately” to help with the investigation into the robocalls impersonating Biden and quickly identified and suspended Life Corporation when contacted by the task force. A man who answered the business line for Life Corp. declined to comment on Thursday.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-17A1.pdf">outlawed robocalls</a>&nbsp;that contain voices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-fires-artificial-intelligence-misinformation-26cabd20dcacbd68c8f38610fec39f5b">generated by artificial intelligence</a>, a decision that sends a clear message that exploiting the technology to scam people and mislead voters won’t be tolerated.The unanimous ruling targets robocalls made with AI voice-cloning tools under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a 1991 law restricting junk calls that use artificial and prerecorded voice messages.The announcement comes as New Hampshire authorities are advancing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-robocalls-artificial-intelligence-new-hampshire-texas-a8665277d43d05380d2c7594edf27617">their investigation</a>&nbsp;into AI-generated robocalls that mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice to discourage people from voting in the state's first-in-the-nation primary last month.Effective immediately, the regulation empowers the FCC to fine companies that use AI voices in their calls or block the service providers that carry them. It also opens the door for call recipients to file lawsuits and gives state attorneys general a new mechanism to crack down on violators, according to the FCC.The agency's chairwoman,&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-17A2.pdf">Jessica Rosenworcel,</a>&nbsp;said bad actors have been using AI-generated voices in robocalls to misinform voters, impersonate celebrities and extort family members.“It seems like something from the far-off future, but this threat is already here,” Rosenworcel told The Associated Press on Wednesday as the commission was considering the regulations. “All of us could be on the receiving end of these faked calls, so that’s why we felt the time to act was now.”Under the consumer protection law, telemarketers generally cannot use automated dialers or artificial or prerecorded voice messages to call cellphones, and they cannot make such calls to landlines without prior written consent from the call recipient.The new ruling classifies AI-generated voices in robocalls as “artificial” and thus enforceable by the same standards, the FCC said.Those who break the law can face steep fines, maxing out at more than $23,000 per call, the FCC said. The agency has previously used the consumer law to clamp down on robocallers interfering in elections, including imposing a $5 million fine on two conservative hoaxers for falsely warning people in predominantly Black areas that voting by mail could heighten their risk of arrest, debt collection and forced vaccination.The law also gives call recipients the right to take legal action and potentially recover up to $1,500 in damages for each unwanted call.Rosenworcel said the commission started looking at making robocalls with AI-generated voices illegal because it saw a rise in these types of calls. It sought public comment on the issue last November and in January, a bipartisan group of 26 state attorneys general wrote to the FCC urging it to move forward with a ruling.Sophisticated generative AI tools, from voice-cloning software to image generators, already are in use in elections in the U.S. and around the world.Last year, as the U.S. presidential race got underway, several campaign advertisements used AI-generated audio or imagery, and some candidates experimented with using AI chatbots to communicate with voters.Bipartisan efforts in Congress have sought to regulate AI in political campaigns, but no federal legislation has passed, with the general election nine months away.The AI-generated robocalls that sought to influence New Hampshire’s Jan. 23 primary election used a voice similar to Biden’s, employed his often-used phrase, “What a bunch of malarkey” and falsely suggested that voting in the primary would preclude voters from casting a ballot in November.New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said Tuesday that investigators had identified the Texas-based Life Corp. and its owner, Walter Monk as the source of the calls, which went to thousands of state residents, mostly registered Democrats. He said the calls were transmitted by another Texas-based company, Lingo Telecom.New Hampshire issued cease-and-desist orders and subpoenas to both companies, while the Federal Communications Commission issued a cease-and-desist letter to the telecommunications company, Formella said. A task force of attorneys general in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., sent a letter to Life Corp. warning it to stop originating illegal calls immediately.According to the FCC, both Lingo Telecom and Life Corp. have been investigated for illegal robocalls in the past. In 2003, FCC issued a citation to Life Corp. for delivering illegal pre-recorded and unsolicited advertisements to residential lines.More recently, the task force of attorneys general has accused Lingo of being the gateway provider for 61 suspected illegal calls from overseas. The Federal Trade Commission issued a cease and desist order against Lingo’s prior corporate name, Matrix Telecom, in 2022. The next year, the task force demanded that it take steps to protect its network.Lingo Telecom said in a statement Tuesday that it “acted immediately” to help with the investigation into the robocalls impersonating Biden and quickly identified and suspended Life Corporation when contacted by the task force. A man who answered the business line for Life Corp. declined to comment on Thursday.

FCC: AI-generated voices on robocalls are now illegal

JOHNSON COUNTY —A man is going to prison for a violent sex crime.

On Tuesday, 33-year-old Uzziel Badillo-Villalobos was sentenced to just over 12-years in prison, according to Johnson County District Attorney's office.

The sentence stems from an October 2019 incident, according to the&nbsp; &nbsp;district attorney's office. In May of 2020 Badillo-Villalobos was arrested in connection with the crime.

Je was also required to register as a sex offender this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707304491634.png" alt="Badillo-Villalobos" />
 <figcaption>Badillo-Villalobos</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A man is going to prison for a violent sex crime.On Tuesday, 33-year-old Uzziel Badillo-Villalobos was sentenced to just over 12-years in prison, according to Johnson County District Attorney's office.The sentence stems from an October 2019 incident, according to the&nbsp; &nbsp;district attorney's office. In May of 2020 Badillo-Villalobos was arrested in connection with the crime.Je was also required to register as a sex offender this week.

Kansas man sentenced for violent sex crime

CLAY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a former Kansas undersheriff.

Just after 4p.m. n Friday, KBI agents arrested Harold Stellner, 55, of Clay Center, when he turned himself in at the Clay County Jail, 539 Lincoln Ave., in Clay Center, according to a media release from the agency.

Stellner was arrested on a requested charges of mistreatment of a confined person, a class A misdemeanor.

On Oct. 4, 2023, the KBI initiated this investigation at the request of the Clay County Sheriff when he discovered evidence of an incident that took place on Sept. 29, at the Clay County Jail. During the incident it is believed Stellner unlawfully struck an inmate. Shortly after, Stellner’s employment was terminated by the Sheriff’s Office.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office is expected to prosecute the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707528919716.png" alt="Stellner-photo Clay Co." />
 <figcaption>Stellner-photo Clay Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CLAY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a former Kansas undersheriff.Just after 4p.m. n Friday, KBI agents arrested Harold Stellner, 55, of Clay Center, when he turned himself in at the Clay County Jail, 539 Lincoln Ave., in Clay Center, according to a media release from the agency.Stellner was arrested on a requested charges of mistreatment of a confined person, a class A misdemeanor.On Oct. 4, 2023, the KBI initiated this investigation at the request of the Clay County Sheriff when he discovered evidence of an incident that took place on Sept. 29, at the Clay County Jail. During the incident it is believed Stellner unlawfully struck an inmate. Shortly after, Stellner’s employment was terminated by the Sheriff’s Office.The Kansas Attorney General’s Office is expected to prosecute the case.

Former Kan. undersheriff accused of striking jail inmate

On February 4th,at approximately 1:00 p.m. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on I-70 in Geary County and located approximately 7000 counterfeit oxycodone (M30) pills containing fentanyl destined to be distributed in Geary County. 

 The discovery of the pills led to several search warrants and several arrests, more arrest and charges are currently pending.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707506978680.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On February 4th,at approximately 1:00 p.m. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on I-70 in Geary County and located approximately 7000 counterfeit oxycodone (M30) pills containing fentanyl destined to be distributed in Geary County. The discovery of the pills led to several search warrants and several arrests, more arrest and charges are currently pending.Geary County Sheriff's release

Traffic stop leads to confiscation of pills

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.

Jacy Martin, Failure to appear, arrested 02/08

Mabel Contreras-Jurado, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 02/08

Laurie Osbey, Driving while suspended (2nd or subsequent conviction), Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 02/08

Jason Dean, Failure to appear, arrested 02/08

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/2024/2/1707501173346.jpeg" alt="Cornelius Phillips, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Distribute controlled substance, arrested 02/08" />
 <figcaption>Cornelius Phillips, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Distribute controlled substance, arrested 02/08</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707501248461.jpeg" alt="Samuel Castillo, Duty of governor to arrest person charged who has fled from justice, arrested 02/08" />
 <figcaption>Samuel Castillo, Duty of governor to arrest person charged who has fled from justice, arrested 02/08</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707501311616.jpeg" alt="Jacob Lehmkuhl, Failure to appear, arrested 02/08" />
 <figcaption>Jacob Lehmkuhl, Failure to appear, arrested 02/08</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707501346666.jpeg" alt="Brecken Hess, Probation violation, arrested 02/08" />
 <figcaption>Brecken Hess, Probation violation, arrested 02/08</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707501377228.jpeg" alt="Matthew Collier, Transporting an open container, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 02/08" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Collier, Transporting an open container, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 02/08</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Jacy Martin, Failure to appear, arrested 02/08Mabel Contreras-Jurado, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 02/08Laurie Osbey, Driving while suspended (2nd or subsequent conviction), Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 02/08Jason Dean, Failure to appear, arrested 02/08Recent 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 Feb. 9

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

Just after 4p.m. February 6, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Taurus for a traffic infraction on Q. Road just south of 150th Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the course of the traffic stop, a Jackson County Sheriff K-9 was deployed and alerted to the presence of illegal drug contraband within the vehicle. 

The driver, Earl Harrison Ireland III, 41, of Topeka was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707412519310.png" alt="Ireland photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Ireland photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 4p.m. February 6, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Taurus for a traffic infraction on Q. Road just south of 150th Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the course of the traffic stop, a Jackson County Sheriff K-9 was deployed and alerted to the presence of illegal drug contraband within the vehicle. The driver, Earl Harrison Ireland III, 41, of Topeka was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas deputy found methamphetamine in man's car

CLOUD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a violent incident in Cloud County.

Just before 2a.m. Saturday, police and EMS responded to report of a disturbance that started and escalated inside the American Legion, 506 Washington Street in Concordia, according to Police Lt. Devin Anderson.

First responders found four stabbing victims from the altercation on the sidewalk.

Concordia EMS provided medical attention to the victims while officers secured the crime scene and arrested&nbsp;24-year-old Nathan Robinson of Concordia. 

Robinson has been charged with four counts of attempted second degree murder and aggravated battery, according to the Cloud County Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707412300575.png" alt="Robinson-photo&nbsp; Cloud Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Robinson-photo&nbsp; Cloud Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>CLOUD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a violent incident in Cloud County.Just before 2a.m. Saturday, police and EMS responded to report of a disturbance that started and escalated inside the American Legion, 506 Washington Street in Concordia, according to Police Lt. Devin Anderson.First responders found four stabbing victims from the altercation on the sidewalk.Concordia EMS provided medical attention to the victims while officers secured the crime scene and arrested&nbsp;24-year-old Nathan Robinson of Concordia. Robinson has been charged with four counts of attempted second degree murder and aggravated battery, according to the Cloud County Attorney's office.

Kansas man charged after 4 stabbed outside American Legion

Michael Kopetsky, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 02/07

Alexis Oliver, Failure to appear, arrested 02/07

Danny Madrigal, Failure to appear, arrested 02/08

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/2024/2/1707414154578.jpeg" alt="Rex Turner, Driving while license suspended/canceled/revoked, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic, or certain stimulant, arrested 02/07" />
 <figcaption>Rex Turner, Driving while license suspended/canceled/revoked, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic, or certain stimulant, arrested 02/07</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707414260052.jpeg" alt="Gerrard Jaworski, Distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, Possession of marijuana, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, arrested 02/07" />
 <figcaption>Gerrard Jaworski, Distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, Possession of marijuana, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, arrested 02/07</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707414339042.jpeg" alt="Philip Locklear, Criminal trespass, Pedestrian under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Criminal threat against LEO, Cause terror, evacuation or disruption, arrested 02/07" />
 <figcaption>Philip Locklear, Criminal trespass, Pedestrian under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Criminal threat against LEO, Cause terror, evacuation or disruption, arrested 02/07</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707414413097.jpeg" alt="Corey Ladue, Failure to appear, Cancelled/suspended/revoked drivers license, arrested 02/07" />
 <figcaption>Corey Ladue, Failure to appear, Cancelled/suspended/revoked drivers license, arrested 02/07</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707414466089.jpeg" alt="Christian Sawyer, Failure to appear, arrested 02/07" />
 <figcaption>Christian Sawyer, Failure to appear, arrested 02/07</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Michael Kopetsky, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 02/07Alexis Oliver, Failure to appear, arrested 02/07Danny Madrigal, Failure to appear, arrested 02/08Recent 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 Feb. 8

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a teen to the hospital.

Just after 1:30p.m. Wednesday, police responded to shots fired call at East 17th and Blue&nbsp; Ridge Boulevard, according to KCPD. First responders found a boy with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital in critical condition.

Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a teen to the hospital.Just after 1:30p.m. Wednesday, police responded to shots fired call at East 17th and Blue&nbsp; Ridge Boulevard, according to KCPD. First responders found a boy with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital in critical condition.Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Teen critically injured in Kansas City shooting

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a hit-and-run crash.

Just after 7 p.m. Monday, police responded to the 2400 block of SW 10th Street where it was alleged that an individual had hit someone with their vehicle and fled the scene, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

 The victim was transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. 

As the investigation continued, two individuals arrived at a local area hospital with non-life threatening gunshot wounds. These individuals were believed to be associated with the hit-and-run in 2400 block of SW 10th Street.

Police located three individuals and took them law enforcement center to speak with detectives.

As a result of the investigation 26-year-old Christopher A. Kuone, 25-year-old Treyvion C. Coplin and 27-year-old&nbsp; Coryon J. Green all of Topeka were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Kuone and Coplin are being held on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery; inflicts bodily harm and Possession of stolen property

Green was jailed on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Failure to stop at accident; injury/damage and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707260854317.png" alt="Kuone-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kuone-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a hit-and-run crash.Just after 7 p.m. Monday, police responded to the 2400 block of SW 10th Street where it was alleged that an individual had hit someone with their vehicle and fled the scene, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley. The victim was transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. As the investigation continued, two individuals arrived at a local area hospital with non-life threatening gunshot wounds. These individuals were believed to be associated with the hit-and-run in 2400 block of SW 10th Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707260919627.png" alt="Coplin-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Coplin-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police located three individuals and took them law enforcement center to speak with detectives.As a result of the investigation 26-year-old Christopher A. Kuone, 25-year-old Treyvion C. Coplin and 27-year-old&nbsp; Coryon J. Green all of Topeka were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.Kuone and Coplin are being held on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery; inflicts bodily harm and Possession of stolen property<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707261344010.png" alt="Green-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Green-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Green was jailed on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Failure to stop at accident; injury/damage and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Police arrest suspects in Kansas hit-and-run shooting 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The fate of former President Donald Trump’s attempt to return to the White House is in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-insurrection-2024-election-0baac5ba0c1868e437e365af17eeab24">hands of the U.S. Supreme Court</a>.

On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-election-insurrection-719eac1b23ee7103c5d84914156e4236">the justices will hear arguments</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-insurrection-trump-ballot-disqualification-5ba83d718b97150447acf15cee75c7a3">Trump’s appeal</a>&nbsp;of a Colorado Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-d16dd8f354eeaf450558378c65fd79a2">ruling</a>&nbsp;that he is not eligible to run again for president because he violated a provision in the 14th Amendment preventing those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office.

Many legal observers expect the nation’s highest court will reverse the Colorado ruling rather than remove the leading contender for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elections">Republican presidential nomination</a>&nbsp;from the ballot. But it’s always tricky to try to predict a Supreme Court ruling, and the case against Trump has already broken new legal ground.

Some of the main issues involved in the 14th Amendment case:

It’s called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-2024-election-ballot-9c5f79203109ba221b35a48e708ad725">Section 3</a>&nbsp;and it’s pretty brief. It reads:

“No Person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two thirds of each House, remove such disability.”

Trump’s lawyers say this part of the Constitution wasn’t meant to apply to the president. Notice how it specifically mentions electors, senators and representatives, but not the presidency.

It also says those who take an oath to “support” the United States, but the presidential oath doesn’t use that word. Instead, the Constitution requires presidents to say they will “preserve, protect and defend” the Constitution. And finally, Section 3 talks about any other “officer” of the United States, but Trump’s lawyers argue that language is meant to apply to presidential appointees, not the president.

That was enough to convince the Colorado district court judge who initially heard the case. She found that Trump had engaged in insurrection,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-amendment-2024-ballot-colorado-5b6e40f069abc1b8604ec37c46621055">but also agreed</a>&nbsp;that it wasn’t clear that Section 3 applied to the president. That part of her decision was reversed by the Colorado Supreme Court.

The majority of the state’s highest court wrote: “President Trump asks us to hold that Section 3 disqualifies every oath-breaking insurrectionist except the most powerful one and that it bars oath-breakers from virtually every office, both state and federal, except the highest one in the land.”

Trump's lawyers contend that the question of who is covered by a rarely used, once obscure clause should be decided by Congress, not unelected judges. They contend that the Jan. 6, 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">attack on the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;wasn’t&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-election-64ea3e076af335a3e1bce6d7620d58a3">an insurrection</a>. They say the attack wasn’t widespread, didn’t involve large amounts of firearms or include other markers of sedition. They say Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-ballot-14th-amendment-colorado-6a8528813e29c9f45a0bb4972369e97e">didn’t “engage”</a>&nbsp;in anything that day other than in exercising his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-speech-colorado-9626b6ae8479e6a4ce34c3391f207426">protected free speech rights</a>.

Others who have been skeptical of applying Section 3 to Trump have made an argument that the dissenting Colorado Supreme Court justices also found persuasive: The way the court went about finding that Trump violated Section 3 violated the former president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-14th-amendment-insurrection-colorado-280bc28e57a965a8d6e4d3329dc6aa07">due process rights</a>. They contend he was entitled to a structured legal process rather than a court in Colorado trying to figure out if the Constitution applied to him.

That gets at the unprecedented nature of the cases. Section 3 has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-ballot-ca5a632f46066bc31349849fe60a781a">rarely been used</a>&nbsp;after an 1872 congressional amnesty excluded most former Confederates from it. The U.S. Supreme Court has never heard such a case.

Arguments about legal precedents go back to a lone 1869 opinion from Chief Justice Salmon Chase, who was hearing an appeal as a circuit judge rather than for the high court.

The Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-supreme-court-colorado-2b9d5b628cb2779fc84212cdc651e4e7">case is historic</a>&nbsp;and is expected to create new law.

Not really. A lot of Democrats are rooting for Trump to get kicked off the ballot and a lot of Republicans are angry about the campaign against him. The case was filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning group.

But some of the most vocal proponents of removing Trump from the ballot are conservative legal scholars who believe in following the strict words of the Constitution. There’s no way around the insurrection disqualification for Trump, they argue, adding it's there in the plain text and was intended by the authors. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-79373b5043976588b599fc00ede049e8">plaintiffs in Colorado</a>&nbsp;are all Republicans or unaffiliated voters.

All seven of the justices on Colorado’s Supreme Court were appointed by Democrats. But they split 4-3 on the decision, a stark demonstration that this case doesn’t divide neatly along partisan lines.

The majority quoted a ruling from Neil Gorsuch, one of Trump’s conservative Supreme Court nominees, from when he was a federal judge in Colorado. He ruled then that the state properly kept a naturalized citizen born in Guyana off the presidential ballot because the he didn’t meet the constitutional qualifications.

In Maine, the Democratic secretary of state also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maine-trump-presidential-ballot-election-insurrection-081fd38ce1f20be9b8423cb2f8c66dee">removed Trump</a>&nbsp;from the ballot. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-ballot-illinois-8709a8dbf12f845ed30fce22c9bff469">Illinois</a>, a Republican retired judge serving as a hearing officer for the state Board of Election suggested keeping Trump on, but only because he thought courts should decide on eligibility. The retired judge found it was likely Trump was disqualified due to Section 3, making him a notable Republican to side with those trying to remove the former president.

The U.S. Supreme Court is comprised of six justices nominating by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/republican-party">Republican presidents</a>, including three by Trump. Partly because this is completely new legal ground, it’s hard to predict how individual justices will rule based on their ideology.

Several outcomes are possible but they generally fall into three areas.

The first is the court could uphold Colorado’s ruling. That would require wins for the plaintiffs on the whole array of Trump's defenses.

The second is the court could rule that Trump cannot be disqualified under Section 3, period. There are a lot of ways the court could do this, but the result would be to end the case against him, as well as dozens of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-ballot-michigan-b2a870f98a60dffbe4c9566cfe97457c">similar challenges</a>&nbsp;filed across the country.

The third possibility unnerves a lot of legal experts. The court could effectively punt and not make a final decision on whether Trump is qualified to serve as president. That could kick the question down the road to Jan. 6, 2025, if he wins the election and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-house-speaker-2024-election-certification-8cd7c5a9e6ae69635bbb4624cc78e5c5#:~:text=Mike%20Johnson%2C%20the%20Louisiana%20congressman,Biden's%202020%20presidential%20election%20win">Congress has to decide</a>&nbsp;whether to certify his victory.

It also would keep alive many of the challenges across the country. A number of them are on hold because state courts are waiting to see what the U.S. Supreme Court will do. Places where a Trump challenge could be rekindled if the high court doesn’t squelch it include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-ballot-illinois-8709a8dbf12f845ed30fce22c9bff469">Illinois</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-election-president-f6b72c94bb351c1b870d4884e54f6a75">Minnesota</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-oregon-14th-amendment-supreme-court-f9e80393633c3f232c2225b91928e75a">Oregon</a>. It could add further pressure to challenge Trump’s position on the ballot in other Democratic strongholds such as California and New York, where there have been pushes to invalidate his candidacy that have been comparatively muted.

While the Trump campaign says more than 60 Section 3 cases have been filed nationally, most are by low-profile figures and have generally been dismissed for procedural issues. Uncertainty from the nation's highest court could encourage a new wave of cases in those states, too.

The lack of a clear ruling also could create counter-challenges. Republicans have warned that Section 3 also can be applied to Democrats.

Some already have proposed filing against Biden under the theory that his inability to stem the flow of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border amounts to providing “aid and comfort” to the country’s enemies. Vice President Kamala Harris also could be targeted under the theory that her raising bail money for people arrested during the protests over George Floyd’s 2020 murder by Minneapolis police amounts to “engaging in insurrection.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706097331546.png" alt="File -Trump celebrating his primary election victory i New Hampshire last month-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File -Trump celebrating his primary election victory i New Hampshire last month-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The fate of former President Donald Trump’s attempt to return to the White House is in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-insurrection-2024-election-0baac5ba0c1868e437e365af17eeab24">hands of the U.S. Supreme Court</a>.On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-election-insurrection-719eac1b23ee7103c5d84914156e4236">the justices will hear arguments</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-insurrection-trump-ballot-disqualification-5ba83d718b97150447acf15cee75c7a3">Trump’s appeal</a>&nbsp;of a Colorado Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-d16dd8f354eeaf450558378c65fd79a2">ruling</a>&nbsp;that he is not eligible to run again for president because he violated a provision in the 14th Amendment preventing those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office.Many legal observers expect the nation’s highest court will reverse the Colorado ruling rather than remove the leading contender for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elections">Republican presidential nomination</a>&nbsp;from the ballot. But it’s always tricky to try to predict a Supreme Court ruling, and the case against Trump has already broken new legal ground.Some of the main issues involved in the 14th Amendment case:WHAT DID TRUMP POTENTIALLY VIOLATE?It’s called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-2024-election-ballot-9c5f79203109ba221b35a48e708ad725">Section 3</a>&nbsp;and it’s pretty brief. It reads:“No Person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two thirds of each House, remove such disability.”Nice and simple, right?Not so fast, Trump’s lawyers say.TRUMP’S DEFENSETrump’s lawyers say this part of the Constitution wasn’t meant to apply to the president. Notice how it specifically mentions electors, senators and representatives, but not the presidency.It also says those who take an oath to “support” the United States, but the presidential oath doesn’t use that word. Instead, the Constitution requires presidents to say they will “preserve, protect and defend” the Constitution. And finally, Section 3 talks about any other “officer” of the United States, but Trump’s lawyers argue that language is meant to apply to presidential appointees, not the president.That was enough to convince the Colorado district court judge who initially heard the case. She found that Trump had engaged in insurrection,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-amendment-2024-ballot-colorado-5b6e40f069abc1b8604ec37c46621055">but also agreed</a>&nbsp;that it wasn’t clear that Section 3 applied to the president. That part of her decision was reversed by the Colorado Supreme Court.The majority of the state’s highest court wrote: “President Trump asks us to hold that Section 3 disqualifies every oath-breaking insurrectionist except the most powerful one and that it bars oath-breakers from virtually every office, both state and federal, except the highest one in the land.”OTHER TRUMP ARGUMENTSTrump's lawyers contend that the question of who is covered by a rarely used, once obscure clause should be decided by Congress, not unelected judges. They contend that the Jan. 6, 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">attack on the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;wasn’t&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-election-64ea3e076af335a3e1bce6d7620d58a3">an insurrection</a>. They say the attack wasn’t widespread, didn’t involve large amounts of firearms or include other markers of sedition. They say Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-ballot-14th-amendment-colorado-6a8528813e29c9f45a0bb4972369e97e">didn’t “engage”</a>&nbsp;in anything that day other than in exercising his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-speech-colorado-9626b6ae8479e6a4ce34c3391f207426">protected free speech rights</a>.Others who have been skeptical of applying Section 3 to Trump have made an argument that the dissenting Colorado Supreme Court justices also found persuasive: The way the court went about finding that Trump violated Section 3 violated the former president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-14th-amendment-insurrection-colorado-280bc28e57a965a8d6e4d3329dc6aa07">due process rights</a>. They contend he was entitled to a structured legal process rather than a court in Colorado trying to figure out if the Constitution applied to him.That gets at the unprecedented nature of the cases. Section 3 has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-ballot-ca5a632f46066bc31349849fe60a781a">rarely been used</a>&nbsp;after an 1872 congressional amnesty excluded most former Confederates from it. The U.S. Supreme Court has never heard such a case.Arguments about legal precedents go back to a lone 1869 opinion from Chief Justice Salmon Chase, who was hearing an appeal as a circuit judge rather than for the high court.The Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-supreme-court-colorado-2b9d5b628cb2779fc84212cdc651e4e7">case is historic</a>&nbsp;and is expected to create new law.ISN’T THIS JUST A PARTISAN CASE?Not really. A lot of Democrats are rooting for Trump to get kicked off the ballot and a lot of Republicans are angry about the campaign against him. The case was filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning group.But some of the most vocal proponents of removing Trump from the ballot are conservative legal scholars who believe in following the strict words of the Constitution. There’s no way around the insurrection disqualification for Trump, they argue, adding it's there in the plain text and was intended by the authors. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-79373b5043976588b599fc00ede049e8">plaintiffs in Colorado</a>&nbsp;are all Republicans or unaffiliated voters.All seven of the justices on Colorado’s Supreme Court were appointed by Democrats. But they split 4-3 on the decision, a stark demonstration that this case doesn’t divide neatly along partisan lines.The majority quoted a ruling from Neil Gorsuch, one of Trump’s conservative Supreme Court nominees, from when he was a federal judge in Colorado. He ruled then that the state properly kept a naturalized citizen born in Guyana off the presidential ballot because the he didn’t meet the constitutional qualifications.In Maine, the Democratic secretary of state also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maine-trump-presidential-ballot-election-insurrection-081fd38ce1f20be9b8423cb2f8c66dee">removed Trump</a>&nbsp;from the ballot. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-ballot-illinois-8709a8dbf12f845ed30fce22c9bff469">Illinois</a>, a Republican retired judge serving as a hearing officer for the state Board of Election suggested keeping Trump on, but only because he thought courts should decide on eligibility. The retired judge found it was likely Trump was disqualified due to Section 3, making him a notable Republican to side with those trying to remove the former president.The U.S. Supreme Court is comprised of six justices nominating by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/republican-party">Republican presidents</a>, including three by Trump. Partly because this is completely new legal ground, it’s hard to predict how individual justices will rule based on their ideology.WHAT COULD THE COURT DO?Several outcomes are possible but they generally fall into three areas.The first is the court could uphold Colorado’s ruling. That would require wins for the plaintiffs on the whole array of Trump's defenses.The second is the court could rule that Trump cannot be disqualified under Section 3, period. There are a lot of ways the court could do this, but the result would be to end the case against him, as well as dozens of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-ballot-michigan-b2a870f98a60dffbe4c9566cfe97457c">similar challenges</a>&nbsp;filed across the country.The third possibility unnerves a lot of legal experts. The court could effectively punt and not make a final decision on whether Trump is qualified to serve as president. That could kick the question down the road to Jan. 6, 2025, if he wins the election and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-house-speaker-2024-election-certification-8cd7c5a9e6ae69635bbb4624cc78e5c5#:~:text=Mike%20Johnson%2C%20the%20Louisiana%20congressman,Biden's%202020%20presidential%20election%20win">Congress has to decide</a>&nbsp;whether to certify his victory.It also would keep alive many of the challenges across the country. A number of them are on hold because state courts are waiting to see what the U.S. Supreme Court will do. Places where a Trump challenge could be rekindled if the high court doesn’t squelch it include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-ballot-illinois-8709a8dbf12f845ed30fce22c9bff469">Illinois</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-election-president-f6b72c94bb351c1b870d4884e54f6a75">Minnesota</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-oregon-14th-amendment-supreme-court-f9e80393633c3f232c2225b91928e75a">Oregon</a>. It could add further pressure to challenge Trump’s position on the ballot in other Democratic strongholds such as California and New York, where there have been pushes to invalidate his candidacy that have been comparatively muted.While the Trump campaign says more than 60 Section 3 cases have been filed nationally, most are by low-profile figures and have generally been dismissed for procedural issues. Uncertainty from the nation's highest court could encourage a new wave of cases in those states, too.The lack of a clear ruling also could create counter-challenges. Republicans have warned that Section 3 also can be applied to Democrats.Some already have proposed filing against Biden under the theory that his inability to stem the flow of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border amounts to providing “aid and comfort” to the country’s enemies. Vice President Kamala Harris also could be targeted under the theory that her raising bail money for people arrested during the protests over George Floyd’s 2020 murder by Minneapolis police amounts to “engaging in insurrection.”

Trump's presidential ballot future set for Supreme Court hearing 

Jordan Stoutamire, Failure to appear, arrested 02/06

Brandon Linton, Probation violation, arrested 02/06

Jamil Shelton, Failure to appear, arrested 02/06

Laytoya Renteria, Outside warrant, arrested 02/06

William Narvaez Melendez, Driving while suspended, arrested 02/06

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/2024/2/1707322640358.jpeg" alt="Eldonda Davis, Identity theft, Misrepresent to cause economic or bodily harm &lt;$100,000, Criminal use of a financial card without consent of owner, less than $1,000, Theft &lt;$1,500 pocket picking, arrested 02/06" />
 <figcaption>Eldonda Davis, Identity theft, Misrepresent to cause economic or bodily harm &lt;$100,000, Criminal use of a financial card without consent of owner, less than $1,000, Theft &lt;$1,500 pocket picking, arrested 02/06</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707328657895.jpeg" alt="Zachary Olson, Criminal trespass, Property as posted per KSA 32-1013, Failure to appear, arrested 02/06" />
 <figcaption>Zachary Olson, Criminal trespass, Property as posted per KSA 32-1013, Failure to appear, arrested 02/06</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707328728648.jpeg" alt="Robin Bond,&nbsp; Criminal trespass, Property as posted per KSA 32-1013, arrested 02/06" />
 <figcaption>Robin Bond,&nbsp; Criminal trespass, Property as posted per KSA 32-1013, arrested 02/06</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707328779354.jpeg" alt="Brooke Peterson, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 02/07" />
 <figcaption>Brooke Peterson, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 02/07</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Jordan Stoutamire, Failure to appear, arrested 02/06Brandon Linton, Probation violation, arrested 02/06Jamil Shelton, Failure to appear, arrested 02/06Laytoya Renteria, Outside warrant, arrested 02/06William Narvaez Melendez, Driving while suspended, arrested 02/06Recent 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 Feb. 7

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, p0lice conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 900 block of Farmer's Plaza Lane in Great Bend for a moving infraction, according to a media release.

Officer's asked for consent to search the vehicle and the driver identified as 25-year-old Maddison Crawford granted permission and told officers there were drugs in the vehicle.

While searching the vehicle, Officers located a white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside of the vehicle. Police placed Crawford under arrest and booked him into the Barton County jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, no tax stamp and illegal window tint. He is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707255085033.jpeg" alt="Crawford photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Crawford photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, p0lice conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 900 block of Farmer's Plaza Lane in Great Bend for a moving infraction, according to a media release.Officer's asked for consent to search the vehicle and the driver identified as 25-year-old Maddison Crawford granted permission and told officers there were drugs in the vehicle.While searching the vehicle, Officers located a white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside of the vehicle. Police placed Crawford under arrest and booked him into the Barton County jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, no tax stamp and illegal window tint. He is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

Driver told Kansas officers of meth in his vehicle

SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp;–On Tuesday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Kansas teacher for alleged sex crimes, according to a media release from the agency.

Just after 6 p.m., KBI agents arrested 38-year-old Brian Stuckenschmidt of Topeka, on a warrant for rape and aggravated criminal sodomy.

In May of 2023, the KBI initiated an investigation after a former student reported incidents that took place between January and May of 2018, when Stuckenschmidt was her music teacher at USD 452 in Johnson City, Kansas. Stuckenschmidt is currently employed at a Topeka school, but was placed on administrative leave in June 2023, when KBI agents brought the investigation to the attention of school officials.

Following the arrest, Stuckenschmidt was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707274518943.png" alt="Stuckenschmidt-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Stuckenschmidt-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp;–On Tuesday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Kansas teacher for alleged sex crimes, according to a media release from the agency.Just after 6 p.m., KBI agents arrested 38-year-old Brian Stuckenschmidt of Topeka, on a warrant for rape and aggravated criminal sodomy.In May of 2023, the KBI initiated an investigation after a former student reported incidents that took place between January and May of 2018, when Stuckenschmidt was her music teacher at USD 452 in Johnson City, Kansas. Stuckenschmidt is currently employed at a Topeka school, but was placed on administrative leave in June 2023, when KBI agents brought the investigation to the attention of school officials.Following the arrest, Stuckenschmidt was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.&nbsp;

KBI: Kansas music teacher accused of child sex crimes

MCPHERSON COUNTY— Following an incident in January, an investigation was initiated by the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office in reference to the introduction of contraband into the McPherson County Jail and distributing the contraband to an inmate, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

During the investigation, Cheyenne Ratley, who was a McPherson County Corrections Deputy at the time of the incident, was identified as a suspect.

Ratley has been arrested and charged with Introduction of Contraband into a Correctional Institution by a Correctional Officer and is currently awaiting extradition back to Kansas.

MCPHERSON COUNTY— Following an incident in January, an investigation was initiated by the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office in reference to the introduction of contraband into the McPherson County Jail and distributing the contraband to an inmate, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.During the investigation, Cheyenne Ratley, who was a McPherson County Corrections Deputy at the time of the incident, was identified as a suspect.Ratley has been arrested and charged with Introduction of Contraband into a Correctional Institution by a Correctional Officer and is currently awaiting extradition back to Kansas.

Deputy accused of bringing drugs into Kansas jail

Richard Beachner, Failure to appear, arrested 02/02

Zachary Franklin,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 02/02

Rebecca Simmons, Endangering a child, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, arrested 02/02

Kayleen Richards,&nbsp; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, arrested 02/02

Santez White, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 02/02

Pharel Petitfrere, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 02/03

Antoine Yates, Driving while suspended (3rd or subsequent conviction), arrested 02/03

Gloria Gonzalez, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license, arrested 02/03

Kaleb Antonucci, Driving while license cancelled / suspended /revoked, arrested 02/03

Demetrius Harvey, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Arrest by LEO; Warrant arrest, arrested 02/03

Anastasia Kenyon, Outside warrant, arrested 02/04

Xyomara Hui, Criminal deprivation of property, arrested 02/04

Michael Rogel, Failure to appear, arrested 02/04

Michael Wasylk, Domestic battery, arrested 02/04

Dalton Hester, Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon (Less than 3 years since sentence/diversion was completed), Possession of controlled substance, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, arrested 02/05

Rashad Shelton, Outside warrant (Two counts), Domestic battery, arrested 02/05

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/2024/2/1707234890151.jpeg" alt="Shadale Njau, Failure to appear, arrested 02/02" />
 <figcaption>Shadale Njau, Failure to appear, arrested 02/02</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707234919592.jpeg" alt="Daniel Henry, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana (1 or more prior convictions), Possession of controlled substance, arrested 02/03" />
 <figcaption>Daniel Henry, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana (1 or more prior convictions), Possession of controlled substance, arrested 02/03</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707235005613.jpeg" alt="Ethan Wheeler, Failure to appear, arrested 02/03" />
 <figcaption>Ethan Wheeler, Failure to appear, arrested 02/03</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707235324952.jpeg" alt="Christopher Hill, Driving while suspended (2nd or subsequent conviction), arrested 02/03" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Hill, Driving while suspended (2nd or subsequent conviction), arrested 02/03</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707235376586.jpeg" alt="Gabrielle Ballenger, Probation violation (Two counts), Failure to appear (Three counts), arrested 02/04" />
 <figcaption>Gabrielle Ballenger, Probation violation (Two counts), Failure to appear (Three counts), arrested 02/04</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707238040023.jpeg" alt="Gilberto Lopez Perez, Taxation drugs, No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Possession of marijuana, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance, Distribute certain stimulant: Dose&gt; 1000 units, arrested 02/04" />
 <figcaption>Gilberto Lopez Perez, Taxation drugs, No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Possession of marijuana, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance, Distribute certain stimulant: Dose&gt; 1000 units, arrested 02/04</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707238719173.jpeg" alt="Isabella Figueroa,&nbsp;Taxation drugs, No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Possession of marijuana, Unlawful to transmit proceeds deprived from drugs:Value &lt; $5,000,&nbsp;Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance, Distribute certain stimulant: Dose&gt; 1000 units, arrested 02/04" />
 <figcaption>Isabella Figueroa,&nbsp;Taxation drugs, No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Possession of marijuana, Unlawful to transmit proceeds deprived from drugs:Value &lt; $5,000,&nbsp;Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance, Distribute certain stimulant: Dose&gt; 1000 units, arrested 02/04</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707240693787.jpeg" alt="Richard Leistner, Probation violation (Two counts), arrested 02/05" />
 <figcaption>Richard Leistner, Probation violation (Two counts), arrested 02/05</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707240729476.jpeg" alt="Kara Smith, Failure to appear, arrested 02/05" />
 <figcaption>Kara Smith, Failure to appear, arrested 02/05</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707240751099.jpeg" alt="Michelle Drywater, Outside warrant, arrested 02/05" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Drywater, Outside warrant, arrested 02/05</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Richard Beachner, Failure to appear, arrested 02/02Zachary Franklin,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 02/02Rebecca Simmons, Endangering a child, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, arrested 02/02Kayleen Richards,&nbsp; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, arrested 02/02Santez White, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 02/02Pharel Petitfrere, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 02/03Antoine Yates, Driving while suspended (3rd or subsequent conviction), arrested 02/03Gloria Gonzalez, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license, arrested 02/03Kaleb Antonucci, Driving while license cancelled / suspended /revoked, arrested 02/03Demetrius Harvey, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Arrest by LEO; Warrant arrest, arrested 02/03Anastasia Kenyon, Outside warrant, arrested 02/04Xyomara Hui, Criminal deprivation of property, arrested 02/04Michael Rogel, Failure to appear, arrested 02/04Michael Wasylk, Domestic battery, arrested 02/04Dalton Hester, Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon (Less than 3 years since sentence/diversion was completed), Possession of controlled substance, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, arrested 02/05Rashad Shelton, Outside warrant (Two counts), Domestic battery, arrested 02/05Recent 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 Feb. 3-6

Mark and Mandy Helstrom, who face criminal drug charges, say they accidentally recorded private conversations in courthouse

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Mark and Mandy Helstrom feared their lives were in danger when they discovered an audio recording of Wallace County law enforcement and court officials talking about ways to kill the couple.

The couple say they inadvertently recorded the private conversation with Mark Helstrom’s phone after he left it in a clerk’s office in the Wallace County Courthouse. They shared the recording with Kansas Reflector.

In one part of the conversation, District Judge Scott Showalter, court clerk Rosella Ryser and County Attorney Charles Moser say they should take the couple into Colorado for a visit to the “Yellowstone train station.” The innuendo — from the TV show “Yellowstone” — refers to killing an enemy.

Later in the same recording, Sheriff Marshall Unruh and Undersheriff Lance Finley talk about putting a bag over Mandy Helstrom’s head.

“I just live in fear all day, every day,” she said in an interview for this story.

The Helstroms live in Sharon Springs, in the far northwest corner of the state, and are defending themselves from criminal drug charges. Mark Helstrom describes himself in court filings as sovereign — but he says he is not associated with the “sovereign citizen” movement of extremist&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2010/april/sovereigncitizens_041310/domestic-terrorism-the-sovereign-citizen-movement">anti-government activism</a>.

Showalter recused himself from handling the couple’s cases after they discovered the audio recording and brought it to the court’s attention.

Ryser, Moser, Unruh and Finley didn’t respond to inquiries for this story. Showalter responded with a written statement.

“I acknowledge I made inappropriate remarks that were in poor taste, and I regret it,” Showalter said. “The remarks, made in a private conversation, were not intended as a threat to anyone. I recognize my error, recused myself from the cases at hand, and self-reported my actions to the Commission on Judicial Conduct. I apologize to the parties, my court colleagues, and anyone else affected by my remarks.”

<h2>Mark and Mandy Helstrom, who face criminal drug charges, say they accidentally recorded private conversations in courthouse</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Mark and Mandy Helstrom feared their lives were in danger when they discovered an audio recording of Wallace County law enforcement and court officials talking about ways to kill the couple.The couple say they inadvertently recorded the private conversation with Mark Helstrom’s phone after he left it in a clerk’s office in the Wallace County Courthouse. They shared the recording with Kansas Reflector.In one part of the conversation, District Judge Scott Showalter, court clerk Rosella Ryser and County Attorney Charles Moser say they should take the couple into Colorado for a visit to the “Yellowstone train station.” The innuendo — from the TV show “Yellowstone” — refers to killing an enemy.Later in the same recording, Sheriff Marshall Unruh and Undersheriff Lance Finley talk about putting a bag over Mandy Helstrom’s head.“I just live in fear all day, every day,” she said in an interview for this story.The Helstroms live in Sharon Springs, in the far northwest corner of the state, and are defending themselves from criminal drug charges. Mark Helstrom describes himself in court filings as sovereign — but he says he is not associated with the “sovereign citizen” movement of extremist&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2010/april/sovereigncitizens_041310/domestic-terrorism-the-sovereign-citizen-movement">anti-government activism</a>.Showalter recused himself from handling the couple’s cases after they discovered the audio recording and brought it to the court’s attention.Ryser, Moser, Unruh and Finley didn’t respond to inquiries for this story. Showalter responded with a written statement.“I acknowledge I made inappropriate remarks that were in poor taste, and I regret it,” Showalter said. “The remarks, made in a private conversation, were not intended as a threat to anyone. I recognize my error, recused myself from the cases at hand, and self-reported my actions to the Commission on Judicial Conduct. I apologize to the parties, my court colleagues, and anyone else affected by my remarks.”<h2>Drugs and consent</h2>Sheriff’s officers arrested the Helstroms in June after they found marijuana and oxycodone in their house. Moser charged them with possession of the drugs, as well as not having a drug tax stamp and possession of drug paraphernalia. Moser also charged Mark Helstrom with interference with law enforcement.Mandy Helstrom said she suffers from a medical condition that frequently causes her to vomit or feel nauseated. The couple said she intended to order a legal form of CBD to see if it would help, but the package arrived with marijuana. The U.S. Postal Service notified law enforcement, which raided their house.Officers found the marijuana, as well as oxycodone. Mark Helstrom said a neighbor inadvertently left the prescribed painkillers in the house years ago and that the Helstroms had forgotten about them.The Helstroms chose to represent themselves in court rather than rely on a court-appointed stand-by counsel, who happens to be a prosecutor from a neighboring county.In court filings, Mark Helstrom declared himself to be sovereign and to have revoked his consent to be governed.“I do not consent to your laws nor have I consented to this court’s jurisdiction, the only reason, I have appeared at-all, is because of the government’s violent tendencies which is placing my life in danger of being terminated,” Mark Helstrom wrote in an Oct. 16 motion to dismiss his case. “I am a peaceful man just trying to live my life without interference from the government, God gave this right to man and this country was founded upon this principle.”In a Sept. 25 filing, Mark Helstrom demanded Moser drop the charges against him. Otherwise, he wrote, “I will have no other choice in this matter but to file criminal charges for slavery.”<h2>Death threats</h2><h2>Death threats</h2>Mark Helstrom said he began recording audio with his phone before the couple entered the courthouse for a Dec. 14 hearing.Inside, he was instructed to leave his phone on the counter in the clerk’s office while he was in the courtroom. He said he forgot to turn the recording off.A couple of days later, he said, his wife was looking through the phone and found the recording — and the private conversation among the judge, court clerk and prosecutor.A section goes as follows:Showalter: “Charles, we’ve decided we need a train station somewhere about two miles into Colorado.”Moser: “And it needs to be the Yellowstone train station.”Ryser: Yes, exactly … and we all know what that means.”At first, the Helstroms didn’t understand the reference to the TV show and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://yellowstone.fandom.com/wiki/The_Train_Station">the rural canyon where enemies are executed</a>.“Then we found out what it was all about, and then it was like, ‘Wow. They’re talking about murdering me, is what they’re saying.’ That’s exactly what it means. You can’t take that any other way,” Mark Helstrom said.At another point in the recording, Sheriff Unruh and Undersheriff Finley are heard talking about Mark Helstrom. Finley referenced a ball and chain at his desk, and Unruh said: “We’re gonna have to get him, ’cause he’s gonna file a report.”Then Unruh and Finley turn their attention to Mandy Helstrom.“God, I wish they would just put a bag over her head,” Finley said. “Like tie it off so she throws up.”Finley adds: “That’s a medical. She needs to go to Greeley County so they can kill her.”TOPEKA — Mark and Mandy Helstrom feared their lives were in danger when they discovered an audio recording of Wallace County law enforcement and court officials talking about ways to kill the couple.The couple say they inadvertently recorded the private conversation with Mark Helstrom’s phone after he left it in a clerk’s office in the Wallace County Courthouse. They shared the recording with Kansas Reflector.In one part of the conversation, District Judge Scott Showalter, court clerk Rosella Ryser and County Attorney Charles Moser say they should take the couple into Colorado for a visit to the “Yellowstone train station.” The innuendo — from the TV show “Yellowstone” — refers to killing an enemy.Later in the same recording, Sheriff Marshall Unruh and Undersheriff Lance Finley talk about putting a bag over Mandy Helstrom’s head.“I just live in fear all day, every day,” she said in an interview for this story.The Helstroms live in Sharon Springs, in the far northwest corner of the state, and are defending themselves from criminal drug charges. Mark Helstrom describes himself in court filings as sovereign — but he says he is not associated with the “sovereign citizen” movement of extremist&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2010/april/sovereigncitizens_041310/domestic-terrorism-the-sovereign-citizen-movement">anti-government activism</a>.Showalter recused himself from handling the couple’s cases after they discovered the audio recording and brought it to the court’s attention.Ryser, Moser, Unruh and Finley didn’t respond to inquiries for this story. Showalter responded with a written statement.“I acknowledge I made inappropriate remarks that were in poor taste, and I regret it,” Showalter said. “The remarks, made in a private conversation, were not intended as a threat to anyone. I recognize my error, recused myself from the cases at hand, and self-reported my actions to the Commission on Judicial Conduct. I apologize to the parties, my court colleagues, and anyone else affected by my remarks.”<h2>Drugs and consent</h2>Sheriff’s officers arrested the Helstroms in June after they found marijuana and oxycodone in their house. Moser charged them with possession of the drugs, as well as not having a drug tax stamp and possession of drug paraphernalia. Moser also charged Mark Helstrom with interference with law enforcement.Mandy Helstrom said she suffers from a medical condition that frequently causes her to vomit or feel nauseated. The couple said she intended to order a legal form of CBD to see if it would help, but the package arrived with marijuana. The U.S. Postal Service notified law enforcement, which raided their house.Officers found the marijuana, as well as oxycodone. Mark Helstrom said a neighbor inadvertently left the prescribed painkillers in the house years ago and that the Helstroms had forgotten about them.The Helstroms chose to represent themselves in court rather than rely on a court-appointed stand-by counsel, who happens to be a prosecutor from a neighboring county.In court filings, Mark Helstrom declared himself to be sovereign and to have revoked his consent to be governed.“I do not consent to your laws nor have I consented to this court’s jurisdiction, the only reason, I have appeared at-all, is because of the government’s violent tendencies which is placing my life in danger of being terminated,” Mark Helstrom wrote in an Oct. 16 motion to dismiss his case. “I am a peaceful man just trying to live my life without interference from the government, God gave this right to man and this country was founded upon this principle.”In a Sept. 25 filing, Mark Helstrom demanded Moser drop the charges against him. Otherwise, he wrote, “I will have no other choice in this matter but to file criminal charges for slavery.”<h2>Death threats</h2>Mark Helstrom said he began recording audio with his phone before the couple entered the courthouse for a Dec. 14 hearing.Inside, he was instructed to leave his phone on the counter in the clerk’s office while he was in the courtroom. He said he forgot to turn the recording off.A couple of days later, he said, his wife was looking through the phone and found the recording — and the private conversation among the judge, court clerk and prosecutor.A section goes as follows:Showalter: “Charles, we’ve decided we need a train station somewhere about two miles into Colorado.”Moser: “And it needs to be the Yellowstone train station.”Ryser: Yes, exactly … and we all know what that means.”Audio Player00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.At first, the Helstroms didn’t understand the reference to the TV show and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://yellowstone.fandom.com/wiki/The_Train_Station">the rural canyon where enemies are executed</a>.“Then we found out what it was all about, and then it was like, ‘Wow. They’re talking about murdering me, is what they’re saying.’ That’s exactly what it means. You can’t take that any other way,” Mark Helstrom said.At another point in the recording, Sheriff Unruh and Undersheriff Finley are heard talking about Mark Helstrom. Finley referenced a ball and chain at his desk, and Unruh said: “We’re gonna have to get him, ’cause he’s gonna file a report.”Audio Player00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Then Unruh and Finley turn their attention to Mandy Helstrom.“God, I wish they would just put a bag over her head,” Finley said. “Like tie it off so she throws up.”Audio Player00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Finley adds: “That’s a medical. She needs to go to Greeley County so they can kill her.”Audio Player00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.<h2>Professional standard</h2>The Helstroms filed a complaint against Unruh and Finley with the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training.CPOST identifies its mission as “providing the citizens of Kansas with qualified, trained, ethical, competent, and professional peace officers.” But in a Jan. 5 letter to the Helstroms, CPOST investigator Kevin Sexton said the agency doesn’t investigate alleged crimes. Their complaint was dismissed.“The appropriate forum for any issues you may have with your complaints and concerns lie with the Wallace County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office,” Sexton wrote. “Please contact them for information on how to proceed with your concerns.”The Helstroms say they don’t feel safe, even if the recorded comments were intended to be a joke.“I was telling my wife, I said, ‘Well, if the cops came over here right now, and they said they had a warrant for your arrest, even though it may be real or not real, and they put the handcuffs on you and then drove you two miles out, took the cuffs off and blew your brains out, who’s gonna know?” Mark Helstrom said. “Nobody’s gonna know.”