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.

Tiara Bush, Arrest by LEO, Warrant arrest, arrested 02/13

Stephanie Munk Adair, Failure to appear, arrested 02/13

Jimmie Oaks, Domestic battery, arrested 02/14

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739564400677.jpeg" alt="Levi Nevin, Violation of protection order, Contribute to a child misconduct,&nbsp; Shelter/conceal a runaway, arrested 02/13" />
 <figcaption>Levi Nevin, Violation of protection order, Contribute to a child misconduct,&nbsp; Shelter/conceal a runaway, arrested 02/13</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739564411844.jpeg" alt="Amanda Wunder, Possession of marijuana, Interference with LEO, Obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor warrant service or execution, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Failure to appear, arrested 02/13&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Amanda Wunder, Possession of marijuana, Interference with LEO, Obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor warrant service or execution, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Failure to appear, arrested 02/13&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739564424940.jpeg" alt="Daniel Fenimore, Domestic battery, arrested 02/14" />
 <figcaption>Daniel Fenimore, Domestic battery, arrested 02/14</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Tiara Bush, Arrest by LEO, Warrant arrest, arrested 02/13Stephanie Munk Adair, Failure to appear, arrested 02/13Jimmie Oaks, Domestic battery, arrested 02/14Recent 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. 14

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas teen is going to prison for a fight and a shooting with a police officer's gun at the Oak Park Mall in Overland Park.

On Feb. 10, Judge Neil Foth sentenced 18-year-old&nbsp;Nery Alberto Gonzalez-Munoz to 34 months in prison, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office. The sentence includes 17-months for 2 counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and 12 months for misdemeanor theft. The sentence for counts 1 and 2 are to run consecutively. The sentence for theft is to run concurrently.

Just before 4:30p.m. Nov 12, 2023, police responded to an armed disturbance at the Oak Park Mall in 11400 block of W.95th in Overland Park, according to Officer John Lacy.

As Gonzalez-Munoz and a 17-year-old suspect were trying to exit the mall near the food court, three plain clothes detectives identified themselves and attempted to apprehend them.

During the arrest Gonzalez-Munoz resisted arrest, a struggle occurred, and he was able to obtain one of the detective’s issued firearms.

Gonzalez-Munoz was able to pull the trigger, firing one shot. Police quickly arrested him. The other suspect ran north of the mall and was immediately apprehended. No one was injured in this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732394078923.png" alt="Police on the scene of the disturbance -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the disturbance -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas teen is going to prison for a fight and a shooting with a police officer's gun at the Oak Park Mall in Overland Park.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700012719162.png" alt="Gonzalez-Munoz photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Gonzalez-Munoz photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>On Feb. 10, Judge Neil Foth sentenced 18-year-old&nbsp;Nery Alberto Gonzalez-Munoz to 34 months in prison, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office. The sentence includes 17-months for 2 counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and 12 months for misdemeanor theft. The sentence for counts 1 and 2 are to run consecutively. The sentence for theft is to run concurrently.Just before 4:30p.m. Nov 12, 2023, police responded to an armed disturbance at the Oak Park Mall in 11400 block of W.95th in Overland Park, according to Officer John Lacy.As Gonzalez-Munoz and a 17-year-old suspect were trying to exit the mall near the food court, three plain clothes detectives identified themselves and attempted to apprehend them.During the arrest Gonzalez-Munoz resisted arrest, a struggle occurred, and he was able to obtain one of the detective’s issued firearms.Gonzalez-Munoz was able to pull the trigger, firing one shot. Police quickly arrested him. The other suspect ran north of the mall and was immediately apprehended. No one was injured in this incident.

Prison for Kan. teen after fight with officers at shopping mall

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a fatal gun fight have taken a second suspect into custody in connection with the crime.

According to county booking records, police arrested 21-year-old Allen Griffin, Jr. and 18-year-old Sergio Clement in connection with the crime.

Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.

Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified males dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.

The 18-year-old identified as Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that he and Griffin were involved in the fatal shooting of Manuel Roach. As a result, both were arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of first-degree murder. Griffin is also being held on a requested charge of drug possession.&nbsp;

This case will be presented to the District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739445638977.png" alt="Sergio Clement was wounded in the gun fight-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Sergio Clement was wounded in the gun fight-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a fatal gun fight have taken a second suspect into custody in connection with the crime.According to county booking records, police arrested 21-year-old Allen Griffin, Jr. and 18-year-old Sergio Clement in connection with the crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739446909301.png" alt="Griffin-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Griffin-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified males dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.The 18-year-old identified as Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that he and Griffin were involved in the fatal shooting of Manuel Roach. As a result, both were arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of first-degree murder. Griffin is also being held on a requested charge of drug possession.&nbsp;This case will be presented to the District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

Police: 3 dressed in all-black involved in deadly Kansas gun fight

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating alleged child sex crimes involving a staff member at an elementary school in Lawrence have learned of more victims and have established a hotline for other possible victims.

On Saturday, police in Lawrence launched&nbsp;an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of two students at Prairie Park Elementary, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe.

A concerned parent of one student called police Saturday morning about events that occurred during the school day on February 7. Investigators quickly uncovered evidence that led to the Saturday night arrest of 60-year-old Mark Elliott Gridley.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is a Speech and Language Pathologist at the school.

Monday morning, investigators learned of a second possible victim.&nbsp; That alleged assault also occurred Friday morning at the school.

On Tuesday, police confirmed there are more than two victims in this investigation, according to McCabe. Police did not provide an exact number. Each parental concern brought to the attention of police must be fully investigated, which takes time. 

The team of police investigators, in conjunction with experts from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, are working to investigate all information received. 

The scope of the investigation has now expanded to include students who were not receiving services for speech at the school. Police are asking for parents of students at Prairie Park Elementary School to have a conversation with their children about any possible contact with Mark Gridley. Should concerns arise at any point in those conversations, police ask that parents stop the conversation and contact the investigations hotline set up for this investigation at (785) 830-7430.

Police are working closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, USD 497 administrators, and the District Attorney’s office to ensure all expert services coordinate to uncover the complete scope of the potential harm and crimes committed.

In addition to the on-site law enforcement presence, police set up a phone line for parents who may need to report a concern about their child and any contact with Mark Gridley. The phone number is&nbsp;(785) 830-7430. In addition, police ask that any parent who may have concerns about their child’s interaction with Gridley, please contact law enforcement before discussing it in-depth with your child.

"Lawrence Police and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County are here and ready to talk to you and your child. They are trained to address these issues while limiting the traumatic impact these discussions have on young victims."

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating alleged child sex crimes involving a staff member at an elementary school in Lawrence have learned of more victims and have established a hotline for other possible victims.On Saturday, police in Lawrence launched&nbsp;an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of two students at Prairie Park Elementary, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe.A concerned parent of one student called police Saturday morning about events that occurred during the school day on February 7. Investigators quickly uncovered evidence that led to the Saturday night arrest of 60-year-old Mark Elliott Gridley.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is a Speech and Language Pathologist at the school.Monday morning, investigators learned of a second possible victim.&nbsp; That alleged assault also occurred Friday morning at the school.On Tuesday, police confirmed there are more than two victims in this investigation, according to McCabe. Police did not provide an exact number. Each parental concern brought to the attention of police must be fully investigated, which takes time. The team of police investigators, in conjunction with experts from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, are working to investigate all information received. The scope of the investigation has now expanded to include students who were not receiving services for speech at the school. Police are asking for parents of students at Prairie Park Elementary School to have a conversation with their children about any possible contact with Mark Gridley. Should concerns arise at any point in those conversations, police ask that parents stop the conversation and contact the investigations hotline set up for this investigation at (785) 830-7430.Police are working closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, USD 497 administrators, and the District Attorney’s office to ensure all expert services coordinate to uncover the complete scope of the potential harm and crimes committed.In addition to the on-site law enforcement presence, police set up a phone line for parents who may need to report a concern about their child and any contact with Mark Gridley. The phone number is&nbsp;(785) 830-7430. In addition, police ask that any parent who may have concerns about their child’s interaction with Gridley, please contact law enforcement before discussing it in-depth with your child. "Lawrence Police and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County are here and ready to talk to you and your child. They are trained to address these issues while limiting the traumatic impact these discussions have on young victims."

Kan. police hotline for victims of speech pathologist child sex crimes

Zachary Giorgianni, Disorderly conduct, arrested 02/13 (In custody but no photo available)

Lorraine Smith, Failure to appear, arrested 02/12

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739461089372.jpeg" alt="Milton Cockrell, Failure to appear, arrested 02/12" />
 <figcaption>Milton Cockrell, Failure to appear, arrested 02/12</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739461099988.jpeg" alt="David Remmers, Ignition interlock device, Operate a car without a required device, arrested 02/12" />
 <figcaption>David Remmers, Ignition interlock device, Operate a car without a required device, arrested 02/12</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739461112987.jpeg" alt="Brian Rios-Corbett, Interference with LEO, Assault,&nbsp; arrested 02/13" />
 <figcaption>Brian Rios-Corbett, Interference with LEO, Assault,&nbsp; arrested 02/13</figcaption>
 </figure>Zachary Giorgianni, Disorderly conduct, arrested 02/13 (In custody but no photo available)Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Lorraine Smith, Failure to appear, arrested 02/12Recent 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. 13 

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVID%20CRARY%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer</a>

More than two-dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans — ranging from the Episcopal Church and the Union for Reform Judaism to the Mennonites and Unitarian Universalists — filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2025/02/Mennonite-Church-USA-v.-U.S.-Department-of-Homeland-Security-Complaint.pdf">federal court lawsuit</a>&nbsp;Tuesday challenging a Trump administration move giving immigration agents more leeway to make arrests at houses of worship.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, contends that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-sensitive-locations-trump-ab0d2d2652e9df696f14410ebb52a1fc">the new policy</a>&nbsp;is spreading fear of raids, thus lowering attendance at worship services and other valuable church programs. The result, says the suit, infringes on the groups’ religious freedom — namely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-churches-trump-immigration-crackdown-sanctuary-2746fa5c80aa8e2ce6db878e0d6e1c24">their ability to minister to migrants</a>, including those in the United States illegally.

“We have immigrants, refugees, people who are documented and undocumented,” said the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

“We cannot worship freely if some of us are living in fear,” he told The Associated Press. “By joining this lawsuit, we’re seeking the ability to gather and fully practice our faith, to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves.”

The new lawsuit echoes and expands on some of the arguments made in a similar lawsuit filed Jan. 27 by five Quaker congregations and later joined by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and a Sikh temple. It is currently pending in U.S. District Court in Maryland.

There was no immediate Trump administration response to the new lawsuit, which names the Department of Homeland Security and its immigration enforcement agencies as defendants. However, a memorandum filed Friday by the Department of Justice, opposing the thrust of the Quaker lawsuit, outlined arguments that may also apply to the new lawsuit.

In essence, the memo contended that the plaintiffs’ request to block the new enforcement policy is based on speculation of hypothetical future harm — and thus is insufficient grounds for issuing an injunction.

The memo said that immigration enforcement affecting houses of worship had been permitted for decades, and the new policy announced in January simply said that field agents — using “common sense” and “discretion” — could now conduct such operations without pre-approval from a supervisor.

One part of that memo might not apply to the new lawsuit, as it argued the Quakers and their fellow plaintiffs have no basis for seeking a nationwide injunction against the revised enforcement policy.

“Any relief in this case should be tailored solely to the named plaintiffs,” said the DOJ memo, contending that any injunction should not apply to other religious organizations.

The plaintiffs in the new lawsuit represent a vastly larger swath of American worshippers — including more than 1 million followers of Reform Judaism, the estimated 1.5 million Episcopalians in 6,700 congregations nationwide, nearly 1.1 million members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the estimated 1.5 million active members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church — the country’s oldest predominantly Black denomination.

Among the other plaintiffs are the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with more than 3,000 congregations; the Church of the Brethren, with more than 780 congregations; the Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas, encompassing about 1,100 Hispanic Baptist churches; the Friends General Conference, an association of regional Quaker organizations; the Mennonite Church USA, with about 50,000 members; the Unitarian Universalist Association, with more than 1,000 congregations; the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, with more than 500 U.S. congregations; and regional branches of the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ.

“The massive scale of the suit will be hard for them to ignore,” said Kelsi Corkran, a lawyer with the Georgetown University Law Center’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/">Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection</a>&nbsp;who is lead counsel for the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs joined the suit, she said, “because their scripture, teaching, and traditions offer irrefutable unanimity on their religious obligation to embrace and serve the refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in their midst without regard to documentation or legal status.”

Prior to the recent Trump administration change, Corkran said immigration agents generally needed a judicial warrant or other special authorization to conduct operations at houses of worship and other “sensitive locations" such as schools and hospitals.

“Now it’s go anywhere, any time,” she told the AP. “Now they have broad authority to swoop in — they’ve made it very clear they’ll get every undocumented person.”

She cited a recent incident in which a Honduran man was arrested outside his family’s Atlanta-area church while a service was being held inside.

The lawsuit includes details from some of the plaintiffs as to how their operations might be affected. The Union for Reform Judaism and the Mennonites, among others, said many of their synagogues and churches host on-site foodbanks, meal programs, homeless shelters and other support services for undocumented people who might now be fearful of participating.

One of the plaintiffs is the Latino Christian National Network, which seeks to bring together&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/latino-evangelical-voters-presidential-election-fc7f1e76fafcddf929973709bccfcbf4">Latino leaders with different traditions</a>&nbsp;and values to collaborate on pressing social issues. The network’s president is the Rev. Carlos Malavé, a pastor of two churches in Virginia, who described to the AP what network members are observing.

“There is deep-seated fear and distrust of our government,” he said. “People fear going to the store, they are avoiding going to church. ... The churches are increasingly doing online services because people fear for the well-being of their families.”

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which leads the nation's largest denomination, did not join the lawsuit, though it has criticized Trump's migration crackdown. On Tuesday, Pope Francis issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-trump-migration-09a89091f8e7dc3270099f0947d04e90">major rebuke</a>&nbsp;of the deportation plan, warning that the forceful removal of people purely because of their illegal status deprives them of their inherent dignity and “will end badly.”

Many conservative faith leaders and legal experts across the U.S. do not share concerns about the new arrest policy.

“Places of worship are for worship and are not sanctuaries for illegal activity or for harboring people engaged in illegal activity,” said Mat Staver, founder of the conservative Christian legal organization Liberty Counsel.

“Fugitives or criminals are not immune from the law merely because they enter a place of worship,” he said via email. “This is not a matter of religious freedom. There is no right to openly violate the law and disobey law enforcement.”

Professor Cathleen Kaveny, who teaches in the theology department and law school at Boston College, questioned whether the plaintiffs would prevail with the religious freedom argument, but suggested the Trump administration might be unwise to disregard a traditional view of houses of worship as places of sanctuary for vulnerable people.

“These buildings are different — almost like embassies,” she said. “I think of churches as belonging to an eternal country.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738002670796.png" alt="Photo Homeland Security-Ice" />
 <figcaption>Photo Homeland Security-Ice</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVID%20CRARY%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer</a>More than two-dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans — ranging from the Episcopal Church and the Union for Reform Judaism to the Mennonites and Unitarian Universalists — filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2025/02/Mennonite-Church-USA-v.-U.S.-Department-of-Homeland-Security-Complaint.pdf">federal court lawsuit</a>&nbsp;Tuesday challenging a Trump administration move giving immigration agents more leeway to make arrests at houses of worship.The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, contends that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-sensitive-locations-trump-ab0d2d2652e9df696f14410ebb52a1fc">the new policy</a>&nbsp;is spreading fear of raids, thus lowering attendance at worship services and other valuable church programs. The result, says the suit, infringes on the groups’ religious freedom — namely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-churches-trump-immigration-crackdown-sanctuary-2746fa5c80aa8e2ce6db878e0d6e1c24">their ability to minister to migrants</a>, including those in the United States illegally.“We have immigrants, refugees, people who are documented and undocumented,” said the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.“We cannot worship freely if some of us are living in fear,” he told The Associated Press. “By joining this lawsuit, we’re seeking the ability to gather and fully practice our faith, to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves.”The new lawsuit echoes and expands on some of the arguments made in a similar lawsuit filed Jan. 27 by five Quaker congregations and later joined by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and a Sikh temple. It is currently pending in U.S. District Court in Maryland.There was no immediate Trump administration response to the new lawsuit, which names the Department of Homeland Security and its immigration enforcement agencies as defendants. However, a memorandum filed Friday by the Department of Justice, opposing the thrust of the Quaker lawsuit, outlined arguments that may also apply to the new lawsuit.In essence, the memo contended that the plaintiffs’ request to block the new enforcement policy is based on speculation of hypothetical future harm — and thus is insufficient grounds for issuing an injunction.The memo said that immigration enforcement affecting houses of worship had been permitted for decades, and the new policy announced in January simply said that field agents — using “common sense” and “discretion” — could now conduct such operations without pre-approval from a supervisor.One part of that memo might not apply to the new lawsuit, as it argued the Quakers and their fellow plaintiffs have no basis for seeking a nationwide injunction against the revised enforcement policy.“Any relief in this case should be tailored solely to the named plaintiffs,” said the DOJ memo, contending that any injunction should not apply to other religious organizations.The plaintiffs in the new lawsuit represent a vastly larger swath of American worshippers — including more than 1 million followers of Reform Judaism, the estimated 1.5 million Episcopalians in 6,700 congregations nationwide, nearly 1.1 million members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the estimated 1.5 million active members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church — the country’s oldest predominantly Black denomination.Among the other plaintiffs are the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with more than 3,000 congregations; the Church of the Brethren, with more than 780 congregations; the Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas, encompassing about 1,100 Hispanic Baptist churches; the Friends General Conference, an association of regional Quaker organizations; the Mennonite Church USA, with about 50,000 members; the Unitarian Universalist Association, with more than 1,000 congregations; the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, with more than 500 U.S. congregations; and regional branches of the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ.“The massive scale of the suit will be hard for them to ignore,” said Kelsi Corkran, a lawyer with the Georgetown University Law Center’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/">Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection</a>&nbsp;who is lead counsel for the lawsuit.The plaintiffs joined the suit, she said, “because their scripture, teaching, and traditions offer irrefutable unanimity on their religious obligation to embrace and serve the refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in their midst without regard to documentation or legal status.”Prior to the recent Trump administration change, Corkran said immigration agents generally needed a judicial warrant or other special authorization to conduct operations at houses of worship and other “sensitive locations" such as schools and hospitals.“Now it’s go anywhere, any time,” she told the AP. “Now they have broad authority to swoop in — they’ve made it very clear they’ll get every undocumented person.”She cited a recent incident in which a Honduran man was arrested outside his family’s Atlanta-area church while a service was being held inside.The lawsuit includes details from some of the plaintiffs as to how their operations might be affected. The Union for Reform Judaism and the Mennonites, among others, said many of their synagogues and churches host on-site foodbanks, meal programs, homeless shelters and other support services for undocumented people who might now be fearful of participating.One of the plaintiffs is the Latino Christian National Network, which seeks to bring together&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/latino-evangelical-voters-presidential-election-fc7f1e76fafcddf929973709bccfcbf4">Latino leaders with different traditions</a>&nbsp;and values to collaborate on pressing social issues. The network’s president is the Rev. Carlos Malavé, a pastor of two churches in Virginia, who described to the AP what network members are observing.“There is deep-seated fear and distrust of our government,” he said. “People fear going to the store, they are avoiding going to church. ... The churches are increasingly doing online services because people fear for the well-being of their families.”The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which leads the nation's largest denomination, did not join the lawsuit, though it has criticized Trump's migration crackdown. On Tuesday, Pope Francis issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-trump-migration-09a89091f8e7dc3270099f0947d04e90">major rebuke</a>&nbsp;of the deportation plan, warning that the forceful removal of people purely because of their illegal status deprives them of their inherent dignity and “will end badly.”Many conservative faith leaders and legal experts across the U.S. do not share concerns about the new arrest policy.“Places of worship are for worship and are not sanctuaries for illegal activity or for harboring people engaged in illegal activity,” said Mat Staver, founder of the conservative Christian legal organization Liberty Counsel.“Fugitives or criminals are not immune from the law merely because they enter a place of worship,” he said via email. “This is not a matter of religious freedom. There is no right to openly violate the law and disobey law enforcement.”Professor Cathleen Kaveny, who teaches in the theology department and law school at Boston College, questioned whether the plaintiffs would prevail with the religious freedom argument, but suggested the Trump administration might be unwise to disregard a traditional view of houses of worship as places of sanctuary for vulnerable people.“These buildings are different — almost like embassies,” she said. “I think of churches as belonging to an eternal country.”___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Religious groups suing over immigration arrests in houses of worship

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a fatal gun fight and have take a teen suspect, identified according to county booking records, as 18-year-old Sergio Clement into custody.&nbsp;

 Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The 18-year-old identified as Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that he was involved in the fatal shooting of Manuel Roach. As a result, Clement was arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of first-degree murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739445638977.png" alt="Clement photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Clement photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a fatal gun fight and have take a teen suspect, identified according to county booking records, as 18-year-old Sergio Clement into custody.&nbsp;Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739445383361.png" alt="Clement photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Clement photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure> Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified males dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.The 18-year-old identified as Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that he was involved in the fatal shooting of Manuel Roach. As a result, Clement was arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of first-degree murder.This case will be presented to the District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

Teen in deadly Kansas gunfight moved from hospital to jail

KANSAS CITY – Two Mexican nationals in the Kansas City area have been charged in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to stage numerous armed robberies so that the purported victims of these crimes, who were immigrants to the United States, could use their status as crime victims to apply for visas, according to the United State's Attorney.

Oscar Gutierrez, 35, of Independence, Mo., and Jose Luis Morales Salgado, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., both of whom are citizens of Mexico, were charged in a criminal complaint filed under seal in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Jan. 30. The federal criminal complaint, which was unsealed and made public following Salgado’s arrest and initial court appearance, charges both men with participating in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain immigration visas. Gutierrez is already in custody on state charges in a separate case.

The complaint alleges that immigrants contacted Salgado to arrange for themselves to become “victims” of staged robberies so they could submit applications for U-Visas, which are granted to crime victims. These immigrants, who were either illegally present in the United States or in the United States legally through work visas, paid Salgado thousands of dollars to participate. In exchange, Salgado directed them to the location of a planned staged robbery on a particular day and time.

Salgado allegedly recruited individuals to pose as robbers during the staged robberies and provided directions to those individuals. One of the persons Salgado recruited to pose as a robber, says the complaint, was Gutierrez.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, each incident involved immigrants who later told police they had car trouble and pulled over and got out of their vehicle to diagnose the car trouble. Soon after stopping, another vehicle would arrive and park next to, or in front of, the purported victim’s vehicle. The robber, wearing a medical mask over his face and brandishing a firearm, would strike the purported victims in the head or face, take their cash, and typically fire two rounds into the purported victim’s vehicle.

Investigators with the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department initially identified 11 incidents in which the reported robberies followed this pattern. These cases were linked to each other, based in part, on leads generated from the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN utilized ballistic imaging technology to compare cartridge case markings on the expended cartridges from each crime scene.&nbsp; Detectives determined there was likely one firearm used in the commission of all of the robberies. Detectives gathered information from city cameras and license plate readers to identify the vehicles used in the robberies, the affidavit says, which led them to Gutierrez.

Salgado allegedly instructed the immigrants to falsely report to law enforcement officials how the robberies occurred, and advised them how to make these false reports in an effort to bolster their applications for U-Visas.

The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act strengthens the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute certain crimes while also protecting victims of crimes who are willing to help law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. Foreign nationals are eligible for a U-Visa if they were the victim of qualifying criminal activity, suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of the criminal activity, possessed information about the criminal activity, and were likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

According to the affidavit, a source told investigators the number of purported victims involved in the scheme was well over 100. The complaint specifically cites 11 robberies involving 33 purported victims that occurred as part of the conspiracy between Dec. 29, 2021, and July 13, 2024.&nbsp; Of those 33 immigrants, 18 have submitted U-Visa applications claiming to be victims of violent crimes.

KANSAS CITY – Two Mexican nationals in the Kansas City area have been charged in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to stage numerous armed robberies so that the purported victims of these crimes, who were immigrants to the United States, could use their status as crime victims to apply for visas, according to the United State's Attorney.Oscar Gutierrez, 35, of Independence, Mo., and Jose Luis Morales Salgado, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., both of whom are citizens of Mexico, were charged in a criminal complaint filed under seal in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Jan. 30. The federal criminal complaint, which was unsealed and made public following Salgado’s arrest and initial court appearance, charges both men with participating in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain immigration visas. Gutierrez is already in custody on state charges in a separate case.The complaint alleges that immigrants contacted Salgado to arrange for themselves to become “victims” of staged robberies so they could submit applications for U-Visas, which are granted to crime victims. These immigrants, who were either illegally present in the United States or in the United States legally through work visas, paid Salgado thousands of dollars to participate. In exchange, Salgado directed them to the location of a planned staged robbery on a particular day and time.Salgado allegedly recruited individuals to pose as robbers during the staged robberies and provided directions to those individuals. One of the persons Salgado recruited to pose as a robber, says the complaint, was Gutierrez.According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, each incident involved immigrants who later told police they had car trouble and pulled over and got out of their vehicle to diagnose the car trouble. Soon after stopping, another vehicle would arrive and park next to, or in front of, the purported victim’s vehicle. The robber, wearing a medical mask over his face and brandishing a firearm, would strike the purported victims in the head or face, take their cash, and typically fire two rounds into the purported victim’s vehicle.Investigators with the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department initially identified 11 incidents in which the reported robberies followed this pattern. These cases were linked to each other, based in part, on leads generated from the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN utilized ballistic imaging technology to compare cartridge case markings on the expended cartridges from each crime scene.&nbsp; Detectives determined there was likely one firearm used in the commission of all of the robberies. Detectives gathered information from city cameras and license plate readers to identify the vehicles used in the robberies, the affidavit says, which led them to Gutierrez.Salgado allegedly instructed the immigrants to falsely report to law enforcement officials how the robberies occurred, and advised them how to make these false reports in an effort to bolster their applications for U-Visas.The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act strengthens the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute certain crimes while also protecting victims of crimes who are willing to help law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. Foreign nationals are eligible for a U-Visa if they were the victim of qualifying criminal activity, suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of the criminal activity, possessed information about the criminal activity, and were likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.According to the affidavit, a source told investigators the number of purported victims involved in the scheme was well over 100. The complaint specifically cites 11 robberies involving 33 purported victims that occurred as part of the conspiracy between Dec. 29, 2021, and July 13, 2024.&nbsp; Of those 33 immigrants, 18 have submitted U-Visa applications claiming to be victims of violent crimes.

2 immigrants accused of staging crimes in KC to fraudulently obtain visas

Quinton Jackson, Failure to appear, arrested 02/10

Larry Allen, Failure to appear, arrested 02/10

William Benner, Outside warrant, arrested 02/10

Megan Mangiaracino, Outside warrant, arrested 02/10

Katelyn Davis, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11

Sol Cepeda Rivera, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 02/11

Brandon Richardson, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11

Megan Mangiaracino, Probation violation, arrested 02/11

Ronnie Hall, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11

Joshue Sichler, Driving while suspended, arrested 02/11

Erid Rivera Rose, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739397430327.jpeg" alt="Laura Keys, Criminal use of weapons, Possession of firearm by addict, Interference with LEO, Obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution, Criminal trespass, Criminal use of weapons; shotgun barrel &lt; 18" or automatic trigger,Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Possession of hallucinogenic drug; Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Distribute heroin/certain stimulants, 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams; Arrest by LEO, warrant arrest, arrested 02/10" />
 <figcaption>Laura Keys, Criminal use of weapons, Possession of firearm by addict, Interference with LEO, Obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution, Criminal trespass, Criminal use of weapons; shotgun barrel &lt; 18" or automatic trigger,Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Possession of hallucinogenic drug; Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Distribute heroin/certain stimulants, 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams; Arrest by LEO, warrant arrest, arrested 02/10</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739397839650.jpeg" alt="Ian Keys,&nbsp;Criminal use of weapons, Possession of firearm by addict, Interference with LEO, Obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution, Criminal trespass, Criminal use of weapons; shotgun barrel &lt; 18" or automatic trigger,Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Possession of hallucinogenic drug; Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Distribute heroin/certain stimulants, 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams; Arrest by LEO, warrant arrest, arrested 02/10" />
 <figcaption>Ian Keys,&nbsp;Criminal use of weapons, Possession of firearm by addict, Interference with LEO, Obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution, Criminal trespass, Criminal use of weapons; shotgun barrel &lt; 18" or automatic trigger,Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Possession of hallucinogenic drug; Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Distribute heroin/certain stimulants, 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams; Arrest by LEO, warrant arrest, arrested 02/10</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739397929459.jpeg" alt="Angelo Demaroney,&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of stolen property (value less than $1,500), Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 02/11" />
 <figcaption>Angelo Demaroney,&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of stolen property (value less than $1,500), Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 02/11</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739398046963.jpeg" alt="James Walker jr.,&nbsp;Criminal use of weapons, Possession of firearm by addict, Criminal trespass, Criminal use of weapons; shotgun barrel &lt; 18" or automatic trigger,Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Possession of hallucinogenic drug; Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Distribute heroin/certain stimulants, 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams, Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, arrested 02/11" />
 <figcaption>James Walker jr.,&nbsp;Criminal use of weapons, Possession of firearm by addict, Criminal trespass, Criminal use of weapons; shotgun barrel &lt; 18" or automatic trigger,Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Possession of hallucinogenic drug; Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Distribute heroin/certain stimulants, 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams, Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, arrested 02/11</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739398332491.jpeg" alt="Heather Crane, Aggravated battery; Knowingly use physical contact in angry/rude manner with weapon, arrested 02/11" />
 <figcaption>Heather Crane, Aggravated battery; Knowingly use physical contact in angry/rude manner with weapon, arrested 02/11</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739398343324.jpeg" alt="William Crane, Domestic battery; Knowing rude physical contact with family member/dating relationship, arrested 02/11" />
 <figcaption>William Crane, Domestic battery; Knowing rude physical contact with family member/dating relationship, arrested 02/11</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739398357049.jpeg" alt="Brandon Weathers, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, arrested 02/12" />
 <figcaption>Brandon Weathers, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, arrested 02/12</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Quinton Jackson, Failure to appear, arrested 02/10Larry Allen, Failure to appear, arrested 02/10William Benner, Outside warrant, arrested 02/10Megan Mangiaracino, Outside warrant, arrested 02/10Katelyn Davis, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11Sol Cepeda Rivera, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 02/11Brandon Richardson, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11Megan Mangiaracino, Probation violation, arrested 02/11Ronnie Hall, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11Joshue Sichler, Driving while suspended, arrested 02/11Erid Rivera Rose, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11Recent 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. 11-12

By MATTHEW LEE, ERIC TUCKER and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump upended three years of U.S. policy toward Ukraine on Wednesday, saying that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war following a dramatic prisoner swap.

Trump said in a social media post that he and Putin held a lengthy phone call during which they committed to "work together, very closely" to bring the conflict to an end and would meet in person, including perhaps in each other's countries.

It was unclear how closely Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be involved. Trump held a phone call with him Wednesday, Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said, characterizing it as a "good conversation."

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special Russia-Ukraine envoy, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, will all be in Germany later this week for the annual Munich Security Conference, which Zelenskyy will also attend.

However, in a blow to Ukraine's aspirations, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier Wednesday at NATO headquarters in Brussels that NATO membership was not realistic for Ukraine and said that any security guarantees for the country would have to be borne by European countries.

The Biden administration had joined other NATO members since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 in vowing that membership in the alliance was "inevitable."

And Trump's announcement appeared to dismantle the Biden-era mantra that Kyiv would be a full participant in any decisions made. "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," Biden and his top national security aides said repeatedly.

Wednesday's Trump-Putin call and resulting policy sea change, followed a prisoner swap that resulted in Russia releasing American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, of Pennsylvania, after more than three years of detention in return for convicted Russian criminal Alexander Vinnik.

"We each talked about the strengths of our respective Nations, and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together," Trump said in a social media post disclosing details about the call. "But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine.

Trump said they also "agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately" and would be alerting Zelenskyy to their conversation. He appointed Rubio, CIA director John Ratcliffe, national security advisor Michael Waltz, and his special Mideast envoy Steven Witkoff to lead those talks.

White House officials later declined to clarify whether Ukraine would be a party to the U.S. negotiations with Russia although Trump and Zelenskyy did speak by phone, according to the White House and Kyiv.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the conversation between Trump and Putin covered a good deal of ground, including the Middle East and Iran in addition to Ukraine, which was the main focus.

Peskov said that Trump called for a quick cessation of hostilities and a peaceful settlement and that "President Putin, in his turn, emphasized the need to remove the root causes of the conflict and agreed with Trump that a long-term settlement could be achieved through peace talks."

"The Russian president of supported one of the main theses of the U.S. president that the time has come for our two countries to work together," Peskov told reporters. "The Russian president invited the U.S. president to visit Moscow and expressed readiness to host U.S. officials in Russia for issues of mutual interest, naturally including Ukraine, the Ukrainian settlement."

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy sought to put a brave face on what many in Ukraine will see as a major disappointment. In a social media post, he said he had had "a meaningful conversation with" Trump that included discussion of "opportunities to achieve peace" and Kyiv's "readiness to work together at the team level, and Ukraine's technological capabilities—including drones and other advanced industries."

"I am grateful to President Trump," he said.

The White House described the prisoner swap as evidence of a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the fighting in Ukraine.

Fogel, an American history teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, was arrested in August 2021 for possession of marijuana and was serving a 14-year prison sentence. He had been left out of previous prisoner swaps with Russia that were negotiated by the Biden administration.

Vinnik — the other person involved, according to two U.S. officials — was arrested in 2017 in Greece at the request of the U.S. on cryptocurrency fraud charges and was later extradited to the United States, where he pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

He is currently in custody in California awaiting transport to return to Russia, the officials said. The Kremlin confirmed that a Russian citizen was freed in the United States in exchange for Fogel but refused to identify him until he arrives in Russia.

Trump had welcomed Fogel at the White House on Tuesday evening after his return to U.S. soil on Witkoff's personal plane. On Wednesday, Trump declined to say if he spoke with Putin about Fogel and didn't say what the United States had provided in exchange for Fogel's release.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump suggested that Fogel's release could help anchor a peace deal on Ukraine, saying: "We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that's the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war."

BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and in sweeping remarks suggested Kyiv should abandon hopes of winning all its territory back from Russia and instead prepare for a negotiated peace settlement to be backed up by international troops.

Hegseth's strident comments came during the first trip to NATO by a member of the new Trump administration. Allies have been waiting to hear how much continued military and financial support Washington intends to provide to the Ukrainian government.

What they heard was that President Donald Trump is intent on getting Europe to assume most of the financial and military responsibilities for the defense of Ukraine, including a possible peacekeeping force that would not include U.S. troops. Hegseth said the force should not have Article Five protections, which could require the U.S. or the 31 other nations of the NATO alliance to come to the aid of those forces if they end up in contact with Russian forces.

Hegseth's stark message, and his insistence that Russia should keep some territory that Ukraine wants back, is likely to complicate talks later this week between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance and other senior American officials at a major security security conference in Munich.

"The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement," Hegseth said, as Kyiv's backers gathered at NATO headquarters for a meeting to drum up more arms and ammunition for the war, which will soon enter its fourth year.

All 32 allies must agree for a country to join NATO, meaning that every member has a veto.

"Instead, any security guarantee must be backed by capable European and non-European troops," Hegseth said. "To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will not be U.S. troops deployed to Ukraine."

Hegseth insisted that NATO should play no role in any future military mission to police the peace in Ukraine and that any peacekeeping troops should not be covered by the part of NATO's founding treaty that obliges all allies to come to the aid of any member under attack.

Article Five has been activated only once, when European allies and Canada used the collective security guarantee to help the United States in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaida attacks on New York and Washington.

Hegseth also said Europe "must provide the overwhelming share of future lethal and nonlethal aid to Ukraine." Ukraine currently relies equally on Europe and the U.S. for about 30% each of its defense needs. The rest is produced by Ukraine itself.

Addressing the allies of Ukraine known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, he also insisted that Ukraine's Western backers must abandon the "illusionary goal" of returning the country to its pre-2014 borders, before Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula and seized parts of eastern Ukraine.

"Members of this contact group must meet the moment," Hegseth said to the approximately 50 member countries that have provided support to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

"We hear you," U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said in response to Hegseth's opening remarks. Both Hegseth and Healey spoke in front of journalists at the top of a closed-door session in Brussels to discuss future aid to Ukraine.

Over nearly three years, those 50 countries have collectively provided Ukraine with more than $126 billion in weapons and military assistance, including more than $66.5 billion from the U.S., which has served as the chair of the group since its creation.

But the meeting this week was convened by the United Kingdom, and no decision has been made on who might chair the next meeting, if one is called.

Hegseth wasn't expected to make any announcement on new weapons for Ukraine.

His trip comes less than two weeks before the third anniversary of Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Most U.S. allies fear that Russian President Vladimir Putin won't stop at Ukraine's borders if he wins, and that Europe's biggest land war in decades poses an existential threat to their security.

Trump has promised to end the war quickly. He's complained that it's costing American taxpayers too much money and suggested that Ukraine should pay for U.S. support with access to its rare earth minerals, energy and other resources.

Hegseth in his remarks said that NATO member nations also need to significantly increase defense spending to 5% of their budgets — a high mark that the U.S. does not presently meet either.

"The United States will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependence. Rather, our relationship will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security," Hegseth said.

European allies have hiked their military budgets since Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine, and 23 of them are estimated to have reached or exceeded last year's target of spending 2% of gross domestic product, but a third still fall short.

Some U.S. allies worry that a hasty deal might be clinched on terms that aren't favorable to Ukraine.

Before Hegseth spoke, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told The Associated Press that Putin will only negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine if its backers continue to provide enough weapons and ammunition.

"We have to make sure that he has no other option, and that means to force him to the table," Rutte said. "He needs to understand that we will not give up on Ukraine. We have to make sure that we have maximum economic impact on Russia."

Hegseth's remarks come a day after American history teacher Marc Vogel returned safely to the U.S. after three years in a Russian prison. The White House suggested that his release could help to advance negotiations on ending the war.

Trump said another American, someone "very special," would be released Wednesday, though he declined to name the person or say from what country. The president did not say what the United States exchanged for Fogel's release.

Copp reported from Washington. Associated Press Writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739386034277.png" alt="President Trump at the White House Tuesday night greeting American teacher&nbsp;Marc Fogel upon his return from being held in Russia- White House image" />
 <figcaption>President Trump at the White House Tuesday night greeting American teacher&nbsp;Marc Fogel upon his return from being held in Russia- White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATTHEW LEE, ERIC TUCKER and ZEKE MILLER Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump upended three years of U.S. policy toward Ukraine on Wednesday, saying that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war following a dramatic prisoner swap.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739386721138.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump said in a social media post that he and Putin held a lengthy phone call during which they committed to "work together, very closely" to bring the conflict to an end and would meet in person, including perhaps in each other's countries.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I had a long and detailed conversation with President Trump. I appreciate his genuine interest in our shared opportunities and how we can bring about real peace together. We discussed many aspects—diplomatic, military, and economic—and President Trump informed me about what… <a href="https://t.co/flmigxqtbl">pic.twitter.com/flmigxqtbl</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1889773900353151436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It was unclear how closely Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be involved. Trump held a phone call with him Wednesday, Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said, characterizing it as a "good conversation."Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special Russia-Ukraine envoy, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, will all be in Germany later this week for the annual Munich Security Conference, which Zelenskyy will also attend.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> Hegseth: Returning to Ukraine&#39;s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective. Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering...The U.S. does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement. <a href="https://t.co/fSU352rMny">pic.twitter.com/fSU352rMny</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1889699670164672603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>However, in a blow to Ukraine's aspirations, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier Wednesday at NATO headquarters in Brussels that NATO membership was not realistic for Ukraine and said that any security guarantees for the country would have to be borne by European countries.The Biden administration had joined other NATO members since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 in vowing that membership in the alliance was "inevitable."And Trump's announcement appeared to dismantle the Biden-era mantra that Kyiv would be a full participant in any decisions made. "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," Biden and his top national security aides said repeatedly.Wednesday's Trump-Putin call and resulting policy sea change, followed a prisoner swap that resulted in Russia releasing American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, of Pennsylvania, after more than three years of detention in return for convicted Russian criminal Alexander Vinnik."We each talked about the strengths of our respective Nations, and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together," Trump said in a social media post disclosing details about the call. "But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine.Trump said they also "agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately" and would be alerting Zelenskyy to their conversation. He appointed Rubio, CIA director John Ratcliffe, national security advisor Michael Waltz, and his special Mideast envoy Steven Witkoff to lead those talks.White House officials later declined to clarify whether Ukraine would be a party to the U.S. negotiations with Russia although Trump and Zelenskyy did speak by phone, according to the White House and Kyiv.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the conversation between Trump and Putin covered a good deal of ground, including the Middle East and Iran in addition to Ukraine, which was the main focus.Peskov said that Trump called for a quick cessation of hostilities and a peaceful settlement and that "President Putin, in his turn, emphasized the need to remove the root causes of the conflict and agreed with Trump that a long-term settlement could be achieved through peace talks.""The Russian president of supported one of the main theses of the U.S. president that the time has come for our two countries to work together," Peskov told reporters. "The Russian president invited the U.S. president to visit Moscow and expressed readiness to host U.S. officials in Russia for issues of mutual interest, naturally including Ukraine, the Ukrainian settlement."Meanwhile, Zelenskyy sought to put a brave face on what many in Ukraine will see as a major disappointment. In a social media post, he said he had had "a meaningful conversation with" Trump that included discussion of "opportunities to achieve peace" and Kyiv's "readiness to work together at the team level, and Ukraine's technological capabilities—including drones and other advanced industries.""I am grateful to President Trump," he said.The White House described the prisoner swap as evidence of a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the fighting in Ukraine.Fogel, an American history teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, was arrested in August 2021 for possession of marijuana and was serving a 14-year prison sentence. He had been left out of previous prisoner swaps with Russia that were negotiated by the Biden administration.Vinnik — the other person involved, according to two U.S. officials — was arrested in 2017 in Greece at the request of the U.S. on cryptocurrency fraud charges and was later extradited to the United States, where he pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering.He is currently in custody in California awaiting transport to return to Russia, the officials said. The Kremlin confirmed that a Russian citizen was freed in the United States in exchange for Fogel but refused to identify him until he arrives in Russia.Trump had welcomed Fogel at the White House on Tuesday evening after his return to U.S. soil on Witkoff's personal plane. On Wednesday, Trump declined to say if he spoke with Putin about Fogel and didn't say what the United States had provided in exchange for Fogel's release.Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump suggested that Fogel's release could help anchor a peace deal on Ukraine, saying: "We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that's the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war."----------------------BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and in sweeping remarks suggested Kyiv should abandon hopes of winning all its territory back from Russia and instead prepare for a negotiated peace settlement to be backed up by international troops.Hegseth's strident comments came during the first trip to NATO by a member of the new Trump administration. Allies have been waiting to hear how much continued military and financial support Washington intends to provide to the Ukrainian government.What they heard was that President Donald Trump is intent on getting Europe to assume most of the financial and military responsibilities for the defense of Ukraine, including a possible peacekeeping force that would not include U.S. troops. Hegseth said the force should not have Article Five protections, which could require the U.S. or the 31 other nations of the NATO alliance to come to the aid of those forces if they end up in contact with Russian forces.Hegseth's stark message, and his insistence that Russia should keep some territory that Ukraine wants back, is likely to complicate talks later this week between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance and other senior American officials at a major security security conference in Munich."The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement," Hegseth said, as Kyiv's backers gathered at NATO headquarters for a meeting to drum up more arms and ammunition for the war, which will soon enter its fourth year.All 32 allies must agree for a country to join NATO, meaning that every member has a veto."Instead, any security guarantee must be backed by capable European and non-European troops," Hegseth said. "To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will not be U.S. troops deployed to Ukraine."Hegseth insisted that NATO should play no role in any future military mission to police the peace in Ukraine and that any peacekeeping troops should not be covered by the part of NATO's founding treaty that obliges all allies to come to the aid of any member under attack.Article Five has been activated only once, when European allies and Canada used the collective security guarantee to help the United States in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaida attacks on New York and Washington.Hegseth also said Europe "must provide the overwhelming share of future lethal and nonlethal aid to Ukraine." Ukraine currently relies equally on Europe and the U.S. for about 30% each of its defense needs. The rest is produced by Ukraine itself.Addressing the allies of Ukraine known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, he also insisted that Ukraine's Western backers must abandon the "illusionary goal" of returning the country to its pre-2014 borders, before Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula and seized parts of eastern Ukraine."Members of this contact group must meet the moment," Hegseth said to the approximately 50 member countries that have provided support to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022."We hear you," U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said in response to Hegseth's opening remarks. Both Hegseth and Healey spoke in front of journalists at the top of a closed-door session in Brussels to discuss future aid to Ukraine.Over nearly three years, those 50 countries have collectively provided Ukraine with more than $126 billion in weapons and military assistance, including more than $66.5 billion from the U.S., which has served as the chair of the group since its creation.But the meeting this week was convened by the United Kingdom, and no decision has been made on who might chair the next meeting, if one is called.Hegseth wasn't expected to make any announcement on new weapons for Ukraine.His trip comes less than two weeks before the third anniversary of Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Most U.S. allies fear that Russian President Vladimir Putin won't stop at Ukraine's borders if he wins, and that Europe's biggest land war in decades poses an existential threat to their security.Trump has promised to end the war quickly. He's complained that it's costing American taxpayers too much money and suggested that Ukraine should pay for U.S. support with access to its rare earth minerals, energy and other resources.Hegseth in his remarks said that NATO member nations also need to significantly increase defense spending to 5% of their budgets — a high mark that the U.S. does not presently meet either."The United States will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependence. Rather, our relationship will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security," Hegseth said.European allies have hiked their military budgets since Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine, and 23 of them are estimated to have reached or exceeded last year's target of spending 2% of gross domestic product, but a third still fall short.Some U.S. allies worry that a hasty deal might be clinched on terms that aren't favorable to Ukraine.Before Hegseth spoke, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told The Associated Press that Putin will only negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine if its backers continue to provide enough weapons and ammunition."We have to make sure that he has no other option, and that means to force him to the table," Rutte said. "He needs to understand that we will not give up on Ukraine. We have to make sure that we have maximum economic impact on Russia."Hegseth's remarks come a day after American history teacher Marc Vogel returned safely to the U.S. after three years in a Russian prison. The White House suggested that his release could help to advance negotiations on ending the war.Trump said another American, someone "very special," would be released Wednesday, though he declined to name the person or say from what country. The president did not say what the United States exchanged for Fogel's release.___Copp reported from Washington. Associated Press Writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

🎥Trump reveals details of call with Putin on ending war in Ukraine

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a woman's murder have made an arrest.

On Thanksgiving Day November 28, 2024, deputies in Shawnee County began an investigation into the death of 50-year-old Monica B. McKay of Tecumseh, Kansas, after she was found deceased at her home, according to Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill.

On February 11, the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested 53-year-old Brian P. McKay of Tecumseh in connection with her death. He is being held on requested charges of stalking, violation of a protection order, aggravated burglary and murder in the first-degree. The sheriff's office would not release details on the relationship between the suspect and victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739359538315.png" alt="McKay-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>McKay-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a woman's murder have made an arrest.On Thanksgiving Day November 28, 2024, deputies in Shawnee County began an investigation into the death of 50-year-old Monica B. McKay of Tecumseh, Kansas, after she was found deceased at her home, according to Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill.On February 11, the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested 53-year-old Brian P. McKay of Tecumseh in connection with her death. He is being held on requested charges of stalking, violation of a protection order, aggravated burglary and murder in the first-degree. The sheriff's office would not release details on the relationship between the suspect and victim.

Kansas man accused of woman's Thanksgiving Day murder

KANSAS CITY —It was a deadly Monday in Kansas City. Police are investigating two homicides and have identified the victims.

Just before 6p.m., patrol&nbsp; were dispatched to the 3400 block of Wyoming on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.&nbsp; Upon arrival officers located a man, later identified as 20-year-old Zykevious L. Crosby suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS transported the Crosby to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

This is being investigated as a homicide. 

Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation in the parking lot between multiple individuals before shots were fired. Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the incident.

At about the same time, KCPD patrol officers were dispatched to the 8000 block of Hickman Mills on a reported medical nature unknown. Upon arrival officers located a man, later identified as 64-year-old Zulfiqar&nbsp;Ladhani, in the parking lot of a nearby convenience store. He suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS was ordered to the scene and Ladhani was subsequently pronounced deceased. This is also being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; Police released no additional details late Tuesday and have not reported an arrest or possible suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739240797760.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —It was a deadly Monday in Kansas City. Police are investigating two homicides and have identified the victims.Just before 6p.m., patrol&nbsp; were dispatched to the 3400 block of Wyoming on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.&nbsp; Upon arrival officers located a man, later identified as 20-year-old Zykevious L. Crosby suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS transported the Crosby to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation in the parking lot between multiple individuals before shots were fired. Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the incident.At about the same time, KCPD patrol officers were dispatched to the 8000 block of Hickman Mills on a reported medical nature unknown. Upon arrival officers located a man, later identified as 64-year-old Zulfiqar&nbsp;Ladhani, in the parking lot of a nearby convenience store. He suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS was ordered to the scene and Ladhani was subsequently pronounced deceased. This is also being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; Police released no additional details late Tuesday and have not reported an arrest or possible suspect information.

Deadly Monday in Kansas City: Police ID two homicide victims

MEADE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations in southwest Kansas.

This week, the Meade County sheriff's office reported that On January 17, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a 2009 Toyota Corolla in Meade County.&nbsp; The traffic stop led to the consensual search of the car. Deputies found 37-pounds of suspected fentanyl pills. 167,000 pills with a street value of approximately $850,000, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies arrested 30-year-old Julio Beltran. He is not an American citizen, according to the sheriff's office.&nbsp; Beltran remains jail on requested charges of distribution of a controlled substance,&nbsp; no drug tax stamp, use of a phone to commit a felony

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739187287106.png" alt="Photo Meade County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Meade County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MEADE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations in southwest Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739187270508.png" alt="Beltran photo Meade County" />
 <figcaption>Beltran photo Meade County</figcaption>
 </figure>This week, the Meade County sheriff's office reported that On January 17, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a 2009 Toyota Corolla in Meade County.&nbsp; The traffic stop led to the consensual search of the car. Deputies found 37-pounds of suspected fentanyl pills. 167,000 pills with a street value of approximately $850,000, according to the sheriff's office.Deputies arrested 30-year-old Julio Beltran. He is not an American citizen, according to the sheriff's office.&nbsp; Beltran remains jail on requested charges of distribution of a controlled substance,&nbsp; no drug tax stamp, use of a phone to commit a felony

Illegal immigrant caught with 167,000 fentanyl pills in SW Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Marc Fogel, an American teacher who was deemed wrongfully&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marc-fogel-russia-state-department-prisoner-swap-pennsylvania-putin-af3906fd2692d13ca168f507ef448fda">detained in Russia</a>, has been released, the White House announced on Tuesday.

Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, left Russian airspace with Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, and he's expected to be reunited with his family by the end of the day.

Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and was serving a 14-year prison system. His family and supporters said he had been traveling with medically prescribed marijuana, and he was designated by President Joe Biden’s administration as wrongfully detained in December.

Mike Waltz, Trump's national security adviser, said the U.S. and Russia “negotiated an exchange” to ensure Fogel's release. He did not say what the U.S. side of the bargain entailed. Previous negotiations have occasionally involved reciprocal releases of Russians by the U.S. or its allies.

Waltz described the development as “a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.” Trump, a Republican, has promised to find a way to end the conflict.

Fogel's relatives said they were “beyond grateful, relieved and overwhelmed” that he was coming home.

“This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal,” they said. "For the first time in years, our family can look forward to the future with hope.”

There was no immediate comment from Moscow about Fogel’s release on Tuesday.

Other Americans also remain detained in Russia when they weren't included in a massive prisoner swap last August that freed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Those include U.S.-Russian dual national&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-woman-arrest-russia-ukraine-3a121981719ed1904c0bbdbdb38f14ab">Ksenia Khavana</a>, who was convicted in August of treason and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. The Biden White House at the time called the conviction and sentencing “nothing less than vindictive cruelty.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Marc Fogel, an American teacher who was deemed wrongfully&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marc-fogel-russia-state-department-prisoner-swap-pennsylvania-putin-af3906fd2692d13ca168f507ef448fda">detained in Russia</a>, has been released, the White House announced on Tuesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;When I saw [Marc Fogel&#39;s] mother at a rally, she said, &#39;If you win, will you get my son out?&#39; I promised her—she’s 95 years old—and I said, &#39;We’ll get him out,&#39; and we got him out pretty quickly.&quot; –President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/jQ681LMxgD">pic.twitter.com/jQ681LMxgD</a>&mdash; President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1889526448945307901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WELCOME HOME, MARC!🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/0b2Igcqudp">pic.twitter.com/0b2Igcqudp</a>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1889529852757201368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MARC FOGEL IS BACK!!! 🇺🇸 PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!!! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/ZMceoU0OfA">pic.twitter.com/ZMceoU0OfA</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1889505612792258637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, left Russian airspace with Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, and he's expected to be reunited with his family by the end of the day.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739304767115.png" alt="Marc Fogel on the flight home from Russia on Tuesday-photo by Adam Boehler, United States Envoy for Hostages." />
 <figcaption>Marc Fogel on the flight home from Russia on Tuesday-photo by Adam Boehler, United States Envoy for Hostages.</figcaption>
 </figure>Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and was serving a 14-year prison system. His family and supporters said he had been traveling with medically prescribed marijuana, and he was designated by President Joe Biden’s administration as wrongfully detained in December.Mike Waltz, Trump's national security adviser, said the U.S. and Russia “negotiated an exchange” to ensure Fogel's release. He did not say what the U.S. side of the bargain entailed. Previous negotiations have occasionally involved reciprocal releases of Russians by the U.S. or its allies.Waltz described the development as “a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.” Trump, a Republican, has promised to find a way to end the conflict.Fogel's relatives said they were “beyond grateful, relieved and overwhelmed” that he was coming home.“This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal,” they said. "For the first time in years, our family can look forward to the future with hope.”There was no immediate comment from Moscow about Fogel’s release on Tuesday.Other Americans also remain detained in Russia when they weren't included in a massive prisoner swap last August that freed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.Those include U.S.-Russian dual national&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-woman-arrest-russia-ukraine-3a121981719ed1904c0bbdbdb38f14ab">Ksenia Khavana</a>, who was convicted in August of treason and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. The Biden White House at the time called the conviction and sentencing “nothing less than vindictive cruelty.”

White House: American teacher freed from Russian prison is home

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating alleged child sex crimes involving a staff member at an elementary school in Lawrence and learned of more victims.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating alleged child sex crimes involving a staff member at an elementary school in Lawrence and learned of more victims.On Saturday, police in Lawrence launched&nbsp;an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of two students at Prairie Park Elementary, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe.A concerned parent of one student called police Saturday morning about events that occurred during the school day on February 7. Investigators quickly uncovered evidence that led to the Saturday night arrest of 60-year-old Mark Elliott Gridley.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is a Speech and Language Pathologist at the school.Monday morning, investigators learned of a second possible victim.&nbsp; That alleged assault also occurred Friday morning at the school.On Tuesday, police confirmed there are more than two victims in this investigation, according to McCabe. Police did not provide an exact number. Each parental concern brought to the attention of police must be fully investigated, which takes time. The team of police investigators, in conjunction with experts from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, are working to investigate all information received. The scope of the investigation has now expanded to include students who were not receiving services for speech at the school. Police are asking for parents of students at Prairie Park Elementary School to have a conversation with their children about any possible contact with Mark Gridley. Should concerns arise at any point in those conversations, police ask that parents stop the conversation and contact the investigations hotline set up for this investigation at (785) 830-7430.Police are working closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, USD 497 administrators, and the District Attorney’s office to ensure all expert services coordinate to uncover the complete scope of the potential harm and crimes committed.In addition to the on-site law enforcement presence, police set up a phone line for parents who may need to report a concern about their child and any contact with Mark Gridley. The phone number is&nbsp;(785) 830-7430. In addition, police ask that any parent who may have concerns about their child’s interaction with Gridley, please contact law enforcement before discussing it in-depth with your child. "Lawrence Police and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County are here and ready to talk to you and your child. They are trained to address these issues while limiting the traumatic impact these discussions have on young victims."

More victims: Speech pathologist at Kan. school accused of child sex crimes

SALINA, Kan. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has arrested Manuel Johnson-Ponce, 29, of Salina, related to his role in a Feb. 4 standoff and officer-involved shooting in Salina.

KBI agents arrested Johnson-Ponce following his release from Salina Regional Health Center. Agents then transported Johnson-Ponce to the Saline County Jail where he was booked on a warrant for three counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, two counts of criminal threat, aggravated endangering a child, domestic battery, criminal restraint, and criminal trespass.

At around 11:20 a.m. February 4, police received a call from a woman who reported an armed domestic disturbance at her home, in the 900 block of Birch Drive in Salina.

Preliminary information indicates that when officers arrived, they contacted a female subject outside the house and learned that a male subject, later identified as Manuel Johnson-Ponce, 29, of Salina, had barricaded inside the home with a three-year old child. He was making threats to the child and officers.

Around 12 p.m., SPD’s SWAT team also responded to the scene. KBI’s High Risk Warrant Team (HRWT) was requested to assist around 12:15 p.m.

During the standoff, Johnson-Ponce refused to comply with repeated commands to come out of the house. He would also not allow the toddler to leave. Around 1 p.m. an officer from SPD fired rounds striking Johnson-Ponce. Immediately following the shooting, law enforcement officers safely rescued the child from the home.

Officers rendered aid to Johnson-Ponce. EMS arrived and transported him to a local hospital. Johnson-Ponce was treated for non-life threatening injuries and is in stable condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739316318130.png" alt="Johnson-Ponce photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Johnson-Ponce photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA, Kan. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has arrested Manuel Johnson-Ponce, 29, of Salina, related to his role in a Feb. 4 standoff and officer-involved shooting in Salina.KBI agents arrested Johnson-Ponce following his release from Salina Regional Health Center. Agents then transported Johnson-Ponce to the Saline County Jail where he was booked on a warrant for three counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, two counts of criminal threat, aggravated endangering a child, domestic battery, criminal restraint, and criminal trespass.At around 11:20 a.m. February 4, police received a call from a woman who reported an armed domestic disturbance at her home, in the 900 block of Birch Drive in Salina.Preliminary information indicates that when officers arrived, they contacted a female subject outside the house and learned that a male subject, later identified as Manuel Johnson-Ponce, 29, of Salina, had barricaded inside the home with a three-year old child. He was making threats to the child and officers.Around 12 p.m., SPD’s SWAT team also responded to the scene. KBI’s High Risk Warrant Team (HRWT) was requested to assist around 12:15 p.m.During the standoff, Johnson-Ponce refused to comply with repeated commands to come out of the house. He would also not allow the toddler to leave. Around 1 p.m. an officer from SPD fired rounds striking Johnson-Ponce. Immediately following the shooting, law enforcement officers safely rescued the child from the home.Officers rendered aid to Johnson-Ponce. EMS arrived and transported him to a local hospital. Johnson-Ponce was treated for non-life threatening injuries and is in stable condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.

KBI: Suspect in Salina officer shooting moved from hospital to jail

SEDGWICK COUNTY– A Kansas man sentenced to a life prison term in 2023 for the rape of runaway girl was given another long prison sentence&nbsp; February 7.

 Sedgwick County District Judge Bruce Brown sentenced Gerardo Aguero-Hernandez, 31 of Wichita, to 1,367 months in prison for the crimes of kidnapping and rape, following a July 2018 attack in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

 A woman in her 50’s was pulled into a car while she was walking from a gas station. In June, a jury found Aguero-Hernandez guilty .

The sentence was ordered to run consecutive to the previous sentence imposed in September of 2023 by Judge Brown. In that case, Aguero-Hernandez was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping, rape, aggravated battery for the 2020 kidnap and rape of a girl who had run away from a foster home. 

In that matter, Judge Brown sentenced Aguero-Hernandez to life without parole eligibility for 25 years plus an additional 184 months.

Between the two cases, Aguero-Hernandez has now been sentenced to serve not less than 25 +15 years followed by 1,367 months or 113 years or approximately 153 years.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man is going to prison for the rape of a runaway girl.

Gerardo Aguero-Hernandez, 26, Wichita, was sentenced to life with without parole eligibility for 25 years plus an additional 184 months, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590769800736.png" alt="Aguero-Hernandez photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Aguero-Hernandez photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY– A Kansas man sentenced to a life prison term in 2023 for the rape of runaway girl was given another long prison sentence&nbsp; February 7. Sedgwick County District Judge Bruce Brown sentenced Gerardo Aguero-Hernandez, 31 of Wichita, to 1,367 months in prison for the crimes of kidnapping and rape, following a July 2018 attack in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. A woman in her 50’s was pulled into a car while she was walking from a gas station. In June, a jury found Aguero-Hernandez guilty .The sentence was ordered to run consecutive to the previous sentence imposed in September of 2023 by Judge Brown. In that case, Aguero-Hernandez was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping, rape, aggravated battery for the 2020 kidnap and rape of a girl who had run away from a foster home. In that matter, Judge Brown sentenced Aguero-Hernandez to life without parole eligibility for 25 years plus an additional 184 months.Between the two cases, Aguero-Hernandez has now been sentenced to serve not less than 25 +15 years followed by 1,367 months or 113 years or approximately 153 years.-------------SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man is going to prison for the rape of a runaway girl.Gerardo Aguero-Hernandez, 26, Wichita, was sentenced to life with without parole eligibility for 25 years plus an additional 184 months, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;On May 22, 2020, police responded to a rape report in the 1800 block of W. Pine Avenue in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;A minor female who ran to that location and reported to a citizen that she had been sexually assaulted. The investigation revealed that the juvenile ran from her foster home earlier in the day around noon.&nbsp;A suspect identified as Aguero-Hernandez contacted her as she walked along North Broadway and offered her a ride.&nbsp; She accepted, but instead of being taken to the agreed-upon location, Aguero-Hernandez drove her to an area near Arthur B. Sim Park.&nbsp; While in the vehicle, Aguero-Hernandez sexually assaulted and battered the girl, according to Davidson. She was able to escape the vehicle and ran to contact a citizen who called 911.&nbsp; Through further investigation, Aguero-Hernandez was identified subsequently arrested&nbsp;from a residence in the 2400 block of N. Woodland in Wichita.A jury convicted Aguero-Hernandez of rape, aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated battery. The jury acquitted him of attempted first-degree murder, according to the district attorney's office.