MARION COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges.

Just after midnight early Tuesday, police conducted a&nbsp;traffic stop on Highway 56 near Ridge Road for a vehicle traveling over the posted speed limit, according to a social media report.

While speaking with the driver, later identified as 37-year-old Joshua Bradley of Downs, he indicated the presence of marijuana in his vehicle. 

 A subsequent search led to the location of 14.3 grams of methamphetamine, 7.3 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. 

The officer arrested Bradley on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, no drug tax stamp, no proof of liabliity insurance and speed over posted maximum.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655833173409.png" alt="Bradley-photo Marion County" />
 <figcaption>Bradley-photo Marion County</figcaption>
 </figure>MARION COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges.Just after midnight early Tuesday, police conducted a&nbsp;traffic stop on Highway 56 near Ridge Road for a vehicle traveling over the posted speed limit, according to a social media report.While speaking with the driver, later identified as 37-year-old Joshua Bradley of Downs, he indicated the presence of marijuana in his vehicle. A subsequent search led to the location of 14.3 grams of methamphetamine, 7.3 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. The officer arrested Bradley on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, no drug tax stamp, no proof of liabliity insurance and speed over posted maximum.

Police: Kansas driver speeding with pot, meth in vehicle

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement and school distrct authorities are investigating an alleged school threat.

Just before 8a.m. Monday, USD 501 Topeka Public Schools police contacted Topeka officers of a&nbsp; reported school threat via social media, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

Topeka Police detectives responded and met with 501 Police to obtain further details. Further investigation identified a person of interest who was located and brought to the Law Enforcement Center for interview.

Officers then arrested 23-year-old Isaac Dallen of Topeka on a requested charge of Aggravated Criminal Threat

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655805665009.png" alt="Dallen-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Dallen-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement and school distrct authorities are investigating an alleged school threat.Just before 8a.m. Monday, USD 501 Topeka Public Schools police contacted Topeka officers of a&nbsp; reported school threat via social media, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.Topeka Police detectives responded and met with 501 Police to obtain further details. Further investigation identified a person of interest who was located and brought to the Law Enforcement Center for interview.Officers then arrested 23-year-old Isaac Dallen of Topeka on a requested charge of Aggravated Criminal Threat

Man accused of online threat against Kansas school 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook on Monday removed a campaign video by Republican Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Eric Greitens that shows him brandishing a shotgun and declaring that he’s hunting RINOs, or Republicans In Name Only.

In the ad, Greitens, a former Missouri governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-campaigns-missouri-jefferson-city-criminal-investigations-2457c44f0ef44394895af26cb0857814">who resigned in disgrace</a>&nbsp;in 2018, is flanked by a tactical unit outside a home on a tree-lined street as he whispers, “The RINO feeds on corruption and is marked by the stripes of cowardice,” using a term popularized by former President Donald Trump and his allies to deride moderate or establishment Republicans.

The armed tactical team breaks through the front door and throws what appear to be flash-bang grenades inside. Greitens enters an empty living room through the smoke and says: “Join the MAGA crew. Get a RINO hunting permit. There’s no bagging limit, no tagging limit and it doesn’t expire until we save our country.”

Facebook said the video was removed “for violating our policies prohibiting violence and incitement.” Twitter said Greitens’ post violated its rules about abusive behavior but said it was leaving it up because it was in the “public’s interest” for the tweet to be viewable. The company’s move prevented the post from being shared any further.

The video comes at a time of renewed focus on violence in politics following fatal mass shootings and threats to government officials. Two weeks ago, a man carrying a gun, a knife and zip ties was arrested near Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house after threatening to kill the justice. Around the same time, a gunman killed a retired county judge in Wisconsin before fatally shooting himself, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-gretchen-whitmer-michigan-wisconsin-shootings-0c6e4877dfe366eda990e2f401ab74ef">he had a list</a>&nbsp;that included the names of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.

On Sunday, Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, one of two Republicans serving on the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, said he recently received a letter at his home threatening “to execute me, as well as my wife and 5-month-old child.”

Greitens is among the Republican candidates in a highly competitive Aug. 2 primary to fill the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Sen. Roy Blunt. The provocative new ad appeared as Greitens looks to improve his standing in the polls, jolt lackluster fundraising and move past graphic allegations of domestic abuse made in a sworn affidavit filed by his ex-wife in March in their child custody case.

Sheena Greitens has alleged that Eric Greitens was physically abusive to her and one of their sons, while demonstrating such “unstable and coercive behavior” that steps were taken to limit his access to firearms, court documents state.

The former governor has vehemently denied the allegations, but they’ve dogged him on the campaign trail. He resigned in 2018 amid criminal investigations and after he was accused of having an extramarital affair with his hairdresser and taking a compromising photo of her to keep her from talking about it.

Helen Wade, Sheena Greitens’ lawyer, told The Kansas City Star that she would “absolutely” use the new campaign video in the couple’s court case.

“This is over the line,” Wade told the newspaper while indicating she would file court papers to make the video an exhibit in the case. Wade did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Republican Caleb Rowden, majority leader of the Missouri state Senate, tweeted: “We have been in contact with the Missouri Highway Patrol and hope that former Gov. Greitens finds the help he needs. Anyone with multiple accusations of abuse toward women and children should probably steer clear of this rhetoric.”

Other candidates in the Senate race also condemned the video.

Republican state Sen. Dave Schatz called it “completely irresponsible.”

“That’s why I’m running. It’s time to restore sanity and reject this nonsense. Missouri deserves better,” Schatz said in a tweet.

Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce tweeted that “terrorists, child abusers, and criminals” like Greitens “shouldn’t even be able to get a weapon.”

“Help me beat this guy in November, and I’ll keep our families safe from criminals like him,” Kunce said.

The Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, which has endorsed state Attorney General Eric Schmitt in the Republican Senate race, denounced Greitens’ video, saying it shows that Greitens “does not possess the sound judgment necessary” to represent the state and that “he has learned nothing from the legal problems” that preceded his resignation as governor.

Greitens’ campaign dismissed the outrage that erupted over the new ad.

“If anyone doesn’t get the metaphor, they are either lying or dumb,” campaign manager Dylan Johnson said in statement.

The firestorm enveloping Greitens follows a well-worn playbook that has helped other Republican candidates juice their standing: Make an inflammatory statement or ad, wait for a backlash to develop, then cite the backlash while trying to raise money from grassroots donors online. In Greitens’ case, the actions taken by the social media giants could prove to be a further boon,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-twitter-inc-technology-reno-nevada-d4814871d69a3dba034cafa09af56ea7">tapping into resentment</a>&nbsp;toward large technology companies that increasingly courses through the Republican Party.

Once a swing state, Missouri has become more reliably Republican in recent years. But the Senate race is nonetheless receiving national attention because some in the GOP establishment are anxious that, if Greitens wins the primary, he would be vulnerable against a Democrat in November. With the Senate evenly divided, the GOP can’t afford to lose what would otherwise be a safe seat.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook on Monday removed a campaign video by Republican Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Eric Greitens that shows him brandishing a shotgun and declaring that he’s hunting RINOs, or Republicans In Name Only.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are sick and tired of the Republicans in Name Only surrendering to Joe Biden &amp; the radical Left. Order your RINO Hunting Permit today! <a href="https://t.co/XLMdJnAzSK">pic.twitter.com/XLMdJnAzSK</a>&mdash; Eric Greitens (@EricGreitens) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricGreitens/status/1538876823978713089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In the ad, Greitens, a former Missouri governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-campaigns-missouri-jefferson-city-criminal-investigations-2457c44f0ef44394895af26cb0857814">who resigned in disgrace</a>&nbsp;in 2018, is flanked by a tactical unit outside a home on a tree-lined street as he whispers, “The RINO feeds on corruption and is marked by the stripes of cowardice,” using a term popularized by former President Donald Trump and his allies to deride moderate or establishment Republicans.The armed tactical team breaks through the front door and throws what appear to be flash-bang grenades inside. Greitens enters an empty living room through the smoke and says: “Join the MAGA crew. Get a RINO hunting permit. There’s no bagging limit, no tagging limit and it doesn’t expire until we save our country.”Facebook said the video was removed “for violating our policies prohibiting violence and incitement.” Twitter said Greitens’ post violated its rules about abusive behavior but said it was leaving it up because it was in the “public’s interest” for the tweet to be viewable. The company’s move prevented the post from being shared any further.The video comes at a time of renewed focus on violence in politics following fatal mass shootings and threats to government officials. Two weeks ago, a man carrying a gun, a knife and zip ties was arrested near Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house after threatening to kill the justice. Around the same time, a gunman killed a retired county judge in Wisconsin before fatally shooting himself, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-gretchen-whitmer-michigan-wisconsin-shootings-0c6e4877dfe366eda990e2f401ab74ef">he had a list</a>&nbsp;that included the names of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.On Sunday, Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, one of two Republicans serving on the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, said he recently received a letter at his home threatening “to execute me, as well as my wife and 5-month-old child.”Greitens is among the Republican candidates in a highly competitive Aug. 2 primary to fill the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Sen. Roy Blunt. The provocative new ad appeared as Greitens looks to improve his standing in the polls, jolt lackluster fundraising and move past graphic allegations of domestic abuse made in a sworn affidavit filed by his ex-wife in March in their child custody case.Sheena Greitens has alleged that Eric Greitens was physically abusive to her and one of their sons, while demonstrating such “unstable and coercive behavior” that steps were taken to limit his access to firearms, court documents state.The former governor has vehemently denied the allegations, but they’ve dogged him on the campaign trail. He resigned in 2018 amid criminal investigations and after he was accused of having an extramarital affair with his hairdresser and taking a compromising photo of her to keep her from talking about it.Helen Wade, Sheena Greitens’ lawyer, told The Kansas City Star that she would “absolutely” use the new campaign video in the couple’s court case.“This is over the line,” Wade told the newspaper while indicating she would file court papers to make the video an exhibit in the case. Wade did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.Republican Caleb Rowden, majority leader of the Missouri state Senate, tweeted: “We have been in contact with the Missouri Highway Patrol and hope that former Gov. Greitens finds the help he needs. Anyone with multiple accusations of abuse toward women and children should probably steer clear of this rhetoric.”Other candidates in the Senate race also condemned the video.Republican state Sen. Dave Schatz called it “completely irresponsible.”“That’s why I’m running. It’s time to restore sanity and reject this nonsense. Missouri deserves better,” Schatz said in a tweet.Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce tweeted that “terrorists, child abusers, and criminals” like Greitens “shouldn’t even be able to get a weapon.”“Help me beat this guy in November, and I’ll keep our families safe from criminals like him,” Kunce said.The Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, which has endorsed state Attorney General Eric Schmitt in the Republican Senate race, denounced Greitens’ video, saying it shows that Greitens “does not possess the sound judgment necessary” to represent the state and that “he has learned nothing from the legal problems” that preceded his resignation as governor.Greitens’ campaign dismissed the outrage that erupted over the new ad.“If anyone doesn’t get the metaphor, they are either lying or dumb,” campaign manager Dylan Johnson said in statement.The firestorm enveloping Greitens follows a well-worn playbook that has helped other Republican candidates juice their standing: Make an inflammatory statement or ad, wait for a backlash to develop, then cite the backlash while trying to raise money from grassroots donors online. In Greitens’ case, the actions taken by the social media giants could prove to be a further boon,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-twitter-inc-technology-reno-nevada-d4814871d69a3dba034cafa09af56ea7">tapping into resentment</a>&nbsp;toward large technology companies that increasingly courses through the Republican Party.Once a swing state, Missouri has become more reliably Republican in recent years. But the Senate race is nonetheless receiving national attention because some in the GOP establishment are anxious that, if Greitens wins the primary, he would be vulnerable against a Democrat in November. With the Senate evenly divided, the GOP can’t afford to lose what would otherwise be a safe seat.

Facebook removes U.S. Senate candidate's 'RINO hunting' video

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting in May in Garden City have a accused a Kansas felon in connection with the crime.

On May 10, police responded to a shooting in the 1400 block of A Street in Garden City, according to a media release. At the scene, police located two individuals with gunshot wounds.&nbsp; EMS transported the victims to St. Catherine Hospital for treatment.

On Friday, police arrested 20-year-old Jalen Paxson in connection with the incident. Paxson was already in custody after Kansas Department of Corrections Agents conducted a home visit with Paxson who was on parole.

During&nbsp; search of the residence, officers found suspected THC, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm. In addition to the requested&nbsp; charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of THC, he is being held on requested charges of Attempted First-Degree Murder, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.&nbsp;

Paxson has previous convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654285724238.png" alt="Paxson has previous convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Paxson has previous convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting in May in Garden City have a accused a Kansas felon in connection with the crime.On May 10, police responded to a shooting in the 1400 block of A Street in Garden City, according to a media release. At the scene, police located two individuals with gunshot wounds.&nbsp; EMS transported the victims to St. Catherine Hospital for treatment.On Friday, police arrested 20-year-old Jalen Paxson in connection with the incident. Paxson was already in custody after Kansas Department of Corrections Agents conducted a home visit with Paxson who was on parole.During&nbsp; search of the residence, officers found suspected THC, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm. In addition to the requested&nbsp; charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of THC, he is being held on requested charges of Attempted First-Degree Murder, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.&nbsp;Paxson has previous convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-------

SW Kan. parolee in custody accused of attempted murder

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 3a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 700 block of SE Branner Street in Topeka in reference to a shooting, according to Police&nbsp; Lt. Ronnie Connell.

Officers found one victim identified as Alfredo Campa-Vasquez, 28, of Topeka. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

As a result of the investigation police arrested 30-year-old Nancy Cervantes of Topeka and booked her on a requested charge of Reckless 2nd Degree Murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655584843360.png" alt="Cerantes-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Cerantes-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have a suspect in custody.Just after 3a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 700 block of SE Branner Street in Topeka in reference to a shooting, according to Police&nbsp; Lt. Ronnie Connell.Officers found one victim identified as Alfredo Campa-Vasquez, 28, of Topeka. He was pronounced dead at the scene.As a result of the investigation police arrested 30-year-old Nancy Cervantes of Topeka and booked her on a requested charge of Reckless 2nd Degree Murder.Police released no additional details.

Police: Kansas woman accused of reckless 2nd degree murder

KANSAS CITY (AP) — As the Supreme Court appears on track to overturn the constitutional right to abortion, progressive prosecutors around the U.S. are declaring they won't enforce some of the most restrictive and punitive anti-abortion laws that GOP-led states have waited years to implement.

The move is sure to rankle Republican lawmakers and governors, with about half the states poised to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade — the 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion — is weakened or overturned. Many of those Republican-led states have abortion clinics nestled in the large metro areas represented by Democratic district attorneys.

Anti-abortion laws in the U.S. largely shy away from explicitly punishing pregnant women and instead tend to target physicians, who could face loss of their medical license and lengthy prison sentences for performing the procedure illegally. But some abortion restrictions would penalize those who assist in an abortion and others could require women who secured the procedure to testify against those who helped her.

Yet enforcement of these laws will fall largely onto the shoulders of district attorneys, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-tampa-tennessee-nashville-787cae9774f5fa36797ce89bb25932a7">wield wide discretion</a>&nbsp;over whom to charge with crimes. Currently, it's not unusual for prosecutors elected in Democratic counties to voice their resistance to bringing charges under various GOP-backed mandates— ranging from voting restrictions, limits on certain protest activity, laws aimed at LGBTQ people, and restrictions on mask requirements throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.

In 2020, more than 70 prosecutors from blue districts around the country publicized that they wouldn’t bring charges under increasingly stringent laws that states have passed against abortion because they “should not and will not criminalize healthcare decisions.”

And so far, a growing number of prosecutors elected in Democratic counties are promising they won’t pursue the criminal charges that have been tucked inside the harshest of abortion restrictions.

Michigan has become a particular battleground over who will enforce the state's abortion laws. Seven Democratic prosecutors there have vowed they won't enforce the state's long-dormant ban on the procedure, while two Republican prosecutors have joined abortion opponents in seeking to overturn the recent suspension of the 1931 statute.

The law, which makes it a crime to assist in an abortion, has had no practical effect for decades since abortion was legalized nationwide.

“Those archaic statutes are unconstitutionally and dangerously vague, leaving open the potential for criminalizing doctors, nurses, anesthetists, health care providers, office receptionists — virtually anyone who either performs or assists in performing these medical procedures. Even the patient herself could face criminal liability under these statutes,” the prosecutors from the Detroit, Lansing, Flint and Ann Arbor areas wrote in a letter.

In GOP-controlled Tennessee, Nashville's Democratic District Attorney Glenn Funk issued a statement just hours after the leaked draft opinion was published in early May. Funk promised he would stand by his previous position not to prosecute medical practitioners who perform an abortion nor any pregnant woman seeking the procedure.

“I am appalled that this assault on a woman’s personal health decisions is in jeopardy. I stand by my prior statement," Funk said, a day before he won the Democratic primary election against two opponents who declined to state whether they would charge doctors.

Funk's longtime resistance to enforcing the state's abortion laws, as well as several others, has already sparked pushback from Tennessee Republican leaders. Late last year, the General Assembly passed a law allowing the attorney general to intervene in local cases — which includes abortion charges. The law permits the state’s legal chief to ask the Tennessee Supreme Court to appoint a temporary prosecutor when the district attorney has “peremptorily and categorically” refused to charge a case.

To date, the attorney general's office says it has not exercised the new law. Meanwhile, the state's top Republican leaders — who oversee every major political office — have remained mum on Funk's defiant stance, and his office has declined to answer follow up questions.

The National Right to Life Committee, which advocates for abortion restrictions, has developed model legislation in the event Roe is overturned that would, among things, authorize state attorneys general to file charges in abortion cases if local prosecutors refuse.

Chief prosecutors who represent some of Texas' most populated counties recently released a joint statement urging elected prosecutors to resist advancing charges that would “criminalize personal healthcare decisions.”

Like Tennessee, Texas is among the 13 states that have so-called trigger laws — measures that would ban most abortions and take effect almost automatically, should the nation’s highest court overturn the Roe. That ruling is expected to be released by late June or early July.

“Many of these enactments have the potential to fuel attempts by some to criminalize patients, medical professionals, healthcare providers, and others who assist in these medical procedures,” the prosecutors wrote, whose reach include Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and parts of Houston.

The statement came just weeks after a Texas woman was arrested after a grand jury indicted her for murder for allegedly causing “the death of an individual ... by self-induced abortion.” Starr County District Attorney Gocha Allen Ramirez quickly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-texas-arrests-8bb3d77d2fe745e12860ff5d4d668cec">moved to dismiss the charges,</a>&nbsp;pointing out the woman hadn't violated any state laws. Still, the incident only further cemented abortion rights advocates' warnings that prosecutors will be key in how anti-abortion laws are exercised on the local level.

Such decisions come as these lawyers must often win elections in order to take over the top prosecutorial role in their community. While many Republican hopefuls have publicly stated their intention to fully enforce the strictest anti-abortion laws, Democratic candidates are hoping their resistance will be enough to woo enough voters in key states.

In Arizona, Democrat Julie Gunningle quickly announced that she would not prioritize prosecuting doctors or pregnant women in her bid to become Maricopa County attorney, which encompasses the metro Phoenix area. Kris Mayes, the only Democrat running for Arizona attorney general, has also promised she wouldn’t prosecute abortion cases in a state that has both a pre-statehood law that makes all abortion illegal and a new law signed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Both seats were previously held by Republicans.

In Missouri, which has just one clinic — based in St. Louis — that provides abortions for the entire state, progressive prosecutors have shied away from issuing public statements promising to defy anti-abortion laws enacted by Republican state lawmakers. Instead, they warn that the state's trigger law will cause a "slippery slope.

If Roe v. Wade is struck down, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, a Democrat, said “it’s going to be open season and it’s going to have a disproportionate effect on poor folks — Black and brown but even poor white folks."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634041318695.png" alt="Photo Planned Parenthood" />
 <figcaption>Photo Planned Parenthood</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — As the Supreme Court appears on track to overturn the constitutional right to abortion, progressive prosecutors around the U.S. are declaring they won't enforce some of the most restrictive and punitive anti-abortion laws that GOP-led states have waited years to implement.The move is sure to rankle Republican lawmakers and governors, with about half the states poised to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade — the 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion — is weakened or overturned. Many of those Republican-led states have abortion clinics nestled in the large metro areas represented by Democratic district attorneys.Anti-abortion laws in the U.S. largely shy away from explicitly punishing pregnant women and instead tend to target physicians, who could face loss of their medical license and lengthy prison sentences for performing the procedure illegally. But some abortion restrictions would penalize those who assist in an abortion and others could require women who secured the procedure to testify against those who helped her.Yet enforcement of these laws will fall largely onto the shoulders of district attorneys, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-tampa-tennessee-nashville-787cae9774f5fa36797ce89bb25932a7">wield wide discretion</a>&nbsp;over whom to charge with crimes. Currently, it's not unusual for prosecutors elected in Democratic counties to voice their resistance to bringing charges under various GOP-backed mandates— ranging from voting restrictions, limits on certain protest activity, laws aimed at LGBTQ people, and restrictions on mask requirements throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.In 2020, more than 70 prosecutors from blue districts around the country publicized that they wouldn’t bring charges under increasingly stringent laws that states have passed against abortion because they “should not and will not criminalize healthcare decisions.”And so far, a growing number of prosecutors elected in Democratic counties are promising they won’t pursue the criminal charges that have been tucked inside the harshest of abortion restrictions.Michigan has become a particular battleground over who will enforce the state's abortion laws. Seven Democratic prosecutors there have vowed they won't enforce the state's long-dormant ban on the procedure, while two Republican prosecutors have joined abortion opponents in seeking to overturn the recent suspension of the 1931 statute.The law, which makes it a crime to assist in an abortion, has had no practical effect for decades since abortion was legalized nationwide.“Those archaic statutes are unconstitutionally and dangerously vague, leaving open the potential for criminalizing doctors, nurses, anesthetists, health care providers, office receptionists — virtually anyone who either performs or assists in performing these medical procedures. Even the patient herself could face criminal liability under these statutes,” the prosecutors from the Detroit, Lansing, Flint and Ann Arbor areas wrote in a letter.In GOP-controlled Tennessee, Nashville's Democratic District Attorney Glenn Funk issued a statement just hours after the leaked draft opinion was published in early May. Funk promised he would stand by his previous position not to prosecute medical practitioners who perform an abortion nor any pregnant woman seeking the procedure.“I am appalled that this assault on a woman’s personal health decisions is in jeopardy. I stand by my prior statement," Funk said, a day before he won the Democratic primary election against two opponents who declined to state whether they would charge doctors.Funk's longtime resistance to enforcing the state's abortion laws, as well as several others, has already sparked pushback from Tennessee Republican leaders. Late last year, the General Assembly passed a law allowing the attorney general to intervene in local cases — which includes abortion charges. The law permits the state’s legal chief to ask the Tennessee Supreme Court to appoint a temporary prosecutor when the district attorney has “peremptorily and categorically” refused to charge a case.To date, the attorney general's office says it has not exercised the new law. Meanwhile, the state's top Republican leaders — who oversee every major political office — have remained mum on Funk's defiant stance, and his office has declined to answer follow up questions.The National Right to Life Committee, which advocates for abortion restrictions, has developed model legislation in the event Roe is overturned that would, among things, authorize state attorneys general to file charges in abortion cases if local prosecutors refuse.Chief prosecutors who represent some of Texas' most populated counties recently released a joint statement urging elected prosecutors to resist advancing charges that would “criminalize personal healthcare decisions.”Like Tennessee, Texas is among the 13 states that have so-called trigger laws — measures that would ban most abortions and take effect almost automatically, should the nation’s highest court overturn the Roe. That ruling is expected to be released by late June or early July.“Many of these enactments have the potential to fuel attempts by some to criminalize patients, medical professionals, healthcare providers, and others who assist in these medical procedures,” the prosecutors wrote, whose reach include Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and parts of Houston.The statement came just weeks after a Texas woman was arrested after a grand jury indicted her for murder for allegedly causing “the death of an individual ... by self-induced abortion.” Starr County District Attorney Gocha Allen Ramirez quickly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-texas-arrests-8bb3d77d2fe745e12860ff5d4d668cec">moved to dismiss the charges,</a>&nbsp;pointing out the woman hadn't violated any state laws. Still, the incident only further cemented abortion rights advocates' warnings that prosecutors will be key in how anti-abortion laws are exercised on the local level.Such decisions come as these lawyers must often win elections in order to take over the top prosecutorial role in their community. While many Republican hopefuls have publicly stated their intention to fully enforce the strictest anti-abortion laws, Democratic candidates are hoping their resistance will be enough to woo enough voters in key states.In Arizona, Democrat Julie Gunningle quickly announced that she would not prioritize prosecuting doctors or pregnant women in her bid to become Maricopa County attorney, which encompasses the metro Phoenix area. Kris Mayes, the only Democrat running for Arizona attorney general, has also promised she wouldn’t prosecute abortion cases in a state that has both a pre-statehood law that makes all abortion illegal and a new law signed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Both seats were previously held by Republicans.In Missouri, which has just one clinic — based in St. Louis — that provides abortions for the entire state, progressive prosecutors have shied away from issuing public statements promising to defy anti-abortion laws enacted by Republican state lawmakers. Instead, they warn that the state's trigger law will cause a "slippery slope.If Roe v. Wade is struck down, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, a Democrat, said “it’s going to be open season and it’s going to have a disproportionate effect on poor folks — Black and brown but even poor white folks."___

If Roe falls, some DAs won't enforce anti-abortion laws

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Four officers won’t face criminal charges for shooting and killing a man armed with a gun who tried to drive through a wildfire evacuation checkpoint near a Northern California marijuana farm last summer, the Siskiyou County district attorney said Tuesday.

Soobleej Kaub Hawj, 35, of Kansas City, Kansas, was driving a pickup truck loaded with guns and 132 pounds of marijuana when he ignored orders to turn west onto a main road at a checkpoint June 24 as a lightning-sparked fire threatened a rural Big Springs area near the Oregon border, District Attorney Kirk Andrus said.

Hawj, who had both amphetamines and methamphetamine in his system, pulled a .45-caliber handgun and pointed it at a law enforcement officer, causing other officers to open fire, Andrus said in a letter to law enforcement agencies explaining his decision, the Sacramento Bee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article262521522.html?ac_cid=DM659273&amp;ac_bid=176585101" target="_blank">reported.</a>

Hawj was struck several times in the head, chest, arms and legs. In addition to the handgun and the marijuana, investigators found another handgun and two loaded assault rifles with large magazines, the letter said.

The shooting sparked accusations that racism played a role in the shooting of Hawj, who was a member of the Hmong ethnic group.

Authorities last year said the Mount Shasta Vista subdivision in the Big Springs area had as many as 6,000 greenhouses illegally growing marijuana, with the farms mostly run by people of Hmong and Chinese descent.

The county has tried to crack down on the illegal grows, in part by prohibiting trucked-in water deliveries to Hmong farmers who run illegal operations.

The growers sued and last fall a federal judge issued a temporary injunction against the ban, saying the practice raises “serious questions” about racial discrimination and leaves the growers without a source of water for drinking, bathing and growing food.

In his letter, however, Andrus said the fire checkpoint wasn’t being used to find marijuana but merely to get people out of an area endangered by the fire. Hawj, however, may have thought he would be stopped and searched, Andrus said.

“He had a cash crop in the back of his truck that he apparently was willing to defend,” Andrus wrote. “He may have had the misapprehension that residents were being funneled into an area where they would be searched for marijuana. He would have been wrong.”

Hawj also had an arrest warrant out of Mesa County, Colorado, where he was wanted for marijuana and firearms felonies, the newspaper said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655307316932.png" alt="The truck was loaded with guns and 132 pounds of marijuana-photo courtesy Siskiyou County District Attorney's Office" />
 <figcaption>The truck was loaded with guns and 132 pounds of marijuana-photo courtesy Siskiyou County District Attorney's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Four officers won’t face criminal charges for shooting and killing a man armed with a gun who tried to drive through a wildfire evacuation checkpoint near a Northern California marijuana farm last summer, the Siskiyou County district attorney said Tuesday.Soobleej Kaub Hawj, 35, of Kansas City, Kansas, was driving a pickup truck loaded with guns and 132 pounds of marijuana when he ignored orders to turn west onto a main road at a checkpoint June 24 as a lightning-sparked fire threatened a rural Big Springs area near the Oregon border, District Attorney Kirk Andrus said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655307259383.png" alt="Hawj, who had both amphetamines and methamphetamine in his system, pulled a .45-caliber handgun and pointed it at a law enforcement officer, causing other officers to open fire-photo courtesy Siskiyou County District Attorney's Office" />
 <figcaption>Hawj, who had both amphetamines and methamphetamine in his system, pulled a .45-caliber handgun and pointed it at a law enforcement officer, causing other officers to open fire-photo courtesy Siskiyou County District Attorney's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>The blaze forced thousands to flee.Hawj, who had both amphetamines and methamphetamine in his system, pulled a .45-caliber handgun and pointed it at a law enforcement officer, causing other officers to open fire, Andrus said in a letter to law enforcement agencies explaining his decision, the Sacramento Bee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article262521522.html?ac_cid=DM659273&amp;ac_bid=176585101" target="_blank">reported.</a>Hawj was struck several times in the head, chest, arms and legs. In addition to the handgun and the marijuana, investigators found another handgun and two loaded assault rifles with large magazines, the letter said.The shooting sparked accusations that racism played a role in the shooting of Hawj, who was a member of the Hmong ethnic group.Authorities last year said the Mount Shasta Vista subdivision in the Big Springs area had as many as 6,000 greenhouses illegally growing marijuana, with the farms mostly run by people of Hmong and Chinese descent.The county has tried to crack down on the illegal grows, in part by prohibiting trucked-in water deliveries to Hmong farmers who run illegal operations.The growers sued and last fall a federal judge issued a temporary injunction against the ban, saying the practice raises “serious questions” about racial discrimination and leaves the growers without a source of water for drinking, bathing and growing food.In his letter, however, Andrus said the fire checkpoint wasn’t being used to find marijuana but merely to get people out of an area endangered by the fire. Hawj, however, may have thought he would be stopped and searched, Andrus said.“He had a cash crop in the back of his truck that he apparently was willing to defend,” Andrus wrote. “He may have had the misapprehension that residents were being funneled into an area where they would be searched for marijuana. He would have been wrong.”Hawj also had an arrest warrant out of Mesa County, Colorado, where he was wanted for marijuana and firearms felonies, the newspaper said.

Officers won't be charged for Kan. man's death at fire checkpoint

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have two suspects in custody.

During the nighttime hours of Thursday, multiple thefts from motor vehicles and a theft of a motor vehicle occurred at residences in the 6000 block of SW Pointe Drive in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The suspects took thousands of dollars’ worth of items including a 2014 Lincoln MKX SUV, cash, personal items and financial cards.

During the investigation, photos and videos were obtained from the neighborhood and local businesses where stolen financial cards were used.&nbsp; Officials positively identified two individuals. 

On Tuesday, police arrested 25-year-old Aaron M. Griffith of Topeka in the 2400 block of SW Hillcrest Road. Griffith was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of conspiracy, identity theft, burglary to a vehicle, theft, criminal damage and criminal use of a financial charge.&nbsp;

Later that day, deputies arrested 27-year-old Halie N. Clinton of Topeka&nbsp; near SW 61st Street and SW Urish Road during a hit and run accident investigation.

Clinton had a warrant for her arrest. Clinton was later booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of conspiracy to commit burglary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655387582173.png" alt="Griffith-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Griffith-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have two suspects in custody.During the nighttime hours of Thursday, multiple thefts from motor vehicles and a theft of a motor vehicle occurred at residences in the 6000 block of SW Pointe Drive in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The suspects took thousands of dollars’ worth of items including a 2014 Lincoln MKX SUV, cash, personal items and financial cards.During the investigation, photos and videos were obtained from the neighborhood and local businesses where stolen financial cards were used.&nbsp; Officials positively identified two individuals. On Tuesday, police arrested 25-year-old Aaron M. Griffith of Topeka in the 2400 block of SW Hillcrest Road. Griffith was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of conspiracy, identity theft, burglary to a vehicle, theft, criminal damage and criminal use of a financial charge.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655387493473.png" alt="Clinton-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Clinton-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Later that day, deputies arrested 27-year-old Halie N. Clinton of Topeka&nbsp; near SW 61st Street and SW Urish Road during a hit and run accident investigation.Clinton had a warrant for her arrest. Clinton was later booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Sheriff: Kan. burglary suspects took cash, financial cards and SUV

On the evening hours on June 16th and June 17th, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency and the County Attorney’s Office, conducted a directed enforcement operation within Geary County.

During the 16 hour operation 17 arrests were made. The operation totaled 11 drug cases, 9 of which were for methamphetamine, fentanyl and/or “Dirty 30” pills (fentanyl-laced opioid pills). The operation recovered 1 stolen firearm; had a Driving Under the Influence arrest and cleared 6 active arrest warrants.

On the evening hours on June 16th and June 17th, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency and the County Attorney’s Office, conducted a directed enforcement operation within Geary County.During the 16 hour operation 17 arrests were made. The operation totaled 11 drug cases, 9 of which were for methamphetamine, fentanyl and/or “Dirty 30” pills (fentanyl-laced opioid pills). The operation recovered 1 stolen firearm; had a Driving Under the Influence arrest and cleared 6 active arrest warrants.

Sheriff's Department conducts enforcement operation

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities arrested a Montgomery, Alabama man&nbsp; Thursday afternoon on Interstate 70 west of Salina after more than 27 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products were found in the rental vehicle he was driving.

Just before 3p.m., a deputy stopped an eastbound 2021 Chrysler Voyager on Interstate 70 just west of Halstead Road for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff's Captain Jim Hughes

During a search of the vehicle, the deputy located 18 packages of raw marijuana weighing a total of 15.45 pounds. Additionally, 11.6 pounds of THC wax and THC edibles were located in the vehicle, Hughes said.

Deputies also found a set of brass knuckles near the driver's seat

Deputies arrested the driver of the rental vehicle, Willie Boswell, 49, of Montgomery, Ala., on requested charges of Possession of marijuana with intent to distribution, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of a weapon and Failure to signal a lane change.

Four others in the vehicle were not arrested, according to Hughes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655479246400.jpeg" alt="Willie Boswell-photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Willie Boswell-photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities arrested a Montgomery, Alabama man&nbsp; Thursday afternoon on Interstate 70 west of Salina after more than 27 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products were found in the rental vehicle he was driving.Just before 3p.m., a deputy stopped an eastbound 2021 Chrysler Voyager on Interstate 70 just west of Halstead Road for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff's Captain Jim HughesDuring a search of the vehicle, the deputy located 18 packages of raw marijuana weighing a total of 15.45 pounds. Additionally, 11.6 pounds of THC wax and THC edibles were located in the vehicle, Hughes said.Deputies also found a set of brass knuckles near the driver's seatDeputies arrested the driver of the rental vehicle, Willie Boswell, 49, of Montgomery, Ala., on requested charges of Possession of marijuana with intent to distribution, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of a weapon and Failure to signal a lane change.Four others in the vehicle were not arrested, according to Hughes.

Deputies find 27 pounds of pot, pot products on I-70

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on sex charges. On June 8, police received a report of a sex offense involving a juvenile girl occurring at a residence located in Great Bend, according to a media release. As officers and detectives began compiling additional details of the report, it was learned that multiple sex offenses were alleged to have occurred at the Great Bend home involving a 32-year-old man later identified as Dustin Bosack and juvenile girl. During the course of this investigation, detailed information and evidence was compiled and multiple interviews were conducted which resulted in the probable cause arrest of Bosack.

He is being held without bond on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a Child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655411599018.jpeg" alt="Bosack photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Bosack photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on sex charges. On June 8, police received a report of a sex offense involving a juvenile girl occurring at a residence located in Great Bend, according to a media release. As officers and detectives began compiling additional details of the report, it was learned that multiple sex offenses were alleged to have occurred at the Great Bend home involving a 32-year-old man later identified as Dustin Bosack and juvenile girl. During the course of this investigation, detailed information and evidence was compiled and multiple interviews were conducted which resulted in the probable cause arrest of Bosack. He is being held without bond on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a Child.

Man accused of child sex crimes at home in Great Bend

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for the shooting death of his friend in Wichita three years ago.

Brandon Craig, 25, of Independence, Missouri, was sentenced Wednesday in Sedgwick County District Court to 74 months in prison,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksn.com/news/crime/missouri-man-sentenced-for-2019-wichita-murder/">television station KSN reported</a>. Craig pleaded guilty in April to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery in the shooting death of Justin Lane, 21, of Grain Valley, Missouri.

Police called to a Wichita home the night of April 12, 2019,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6608508a48694d01a6d1f226f938a698">found Lane inside</a>, dead with a single gunshot wound to the head. Police described Lane and Craig as best friends who were visiting another friend at the Wichita home when they began fighting before Lane was shot.

Police said Craig changed his story about what happened several times, first telling investigators he never had a gun, then saying Lane was taking the gun from his hand when it went off, then later saying simply that he had accidentally shot Lane.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655390184843.png" alt="Craig from is 2019 arrest -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Craig from is 2019 arrest -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for the shooting death of his friend in Wichita three years ago.Brandon Craig, 25, of Independence, Missouri, was sentenced Wednesday in Sedgwick County District Court to 74 months in prison,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksn.com/news/crime/missouri-man-sentenced-for-2019-wichita-murder/">television station KSN reported</a>. Craig pleaded guilty in April to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery in the shooting death of Justin Lane, 21, of Grain Valley, Missouri.Police called to a Wichita home the night of April 12, 2019,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6608508a48694d01a6d1f226f938a698">found Lane inside</a>, dead with a single gunshot wound to the head. Police described Lane and Craig as best friends who were visiting another friend at the Wichita home when they began fighting before Lane was shot.Police said Craig changed his story about what happened several times, first telling investigators he never had a gun, then saying Lane was taking the gun from his hand when it went off, then later saying simply that he had accidentally shot Lane.

Man sentenced for killing best friend during fight at Kan. home 

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man after a violent crash in southwest Kansas.

Just before 5:30p.m. Monday., police, fire crews and and EMS responded to an injury accident in the 1200 block of N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City involving a vehicle that struck a build and power pole, according to a media release.

Officers located a Ford F150 with damage to the front passenger and driver sides, parked on the corner of Jenny Avenue and N. 11th Street. 

Officers observed the driver, identified as 34-year-old Daniel Ramon-Gastulo of Garden City and an 11-year-old passenger exiting the vehicle.

The investigation revealed that the F150 driven by Ramon-Gastulo&nbsp; sideswiped the east wall of Dillons West and headed southeast, eventually striking a utility pole on the west side of Post Rock Trading Company. 

The pickup then sideswiped the west wall of Post Rock Trading Company and continued through a privacy fence and sidewalk handrail of the Dillons West parking lot. 

The vehicle exited the parking lot and came to a stop on the corner of Jenny Avenue and N. 11th Street.

Through further investigation, it was determined that Ramon-Gastulo was suspected of driving under the influence. Ramon-Gastulo was arrested on requested charges of DUI, Child Endangerment, Failure to Give Info or Render Aid and No Proof of Liability Insurance.

Ramon-Gastulo and the 11-year-old child were not injured from the accident. The total estimated property damage is over $20,000.00.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655377021320.png" alt="Ramon-Gastulo-photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>Ramon-Gastulo-photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man after a violent crash in southwest Kansas.Just before 5:30p.m. Monday., police, fire crews and and EMS responded to an injury accident in the 1200 block of N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City involving a vehicle that struck a build and power pole, according to a media release.Officers located a Ford F150 with damage to the front passenger and driver sides, parked on the corner of Jenny Avenue and N. 11th Street. Officers observed the driver, identified as 34-year-old Daniel Ramon-Gastulo of Garden City and an 11-year-old passenger exiting the vehicle.The investigation revealed that the F150 driven by Ramon-Gastulo&nbsp; sideswiped the east wall of Dillons West and headed southeast, eventually striking a utility pole on the west side of Post Rock Trading Company. The pickup then sideswiped the west wall of Post Rock Trading Company and continued through a privacy fence and sidewalk handrail of the Dillons West parking lot. The vehicle exited the parking lot and came to a stop on the corner of Jenny Avenue and N. 11th Street.Through further investigation, it was determined that Ramon-Gastulo was suspected of driving under the influence. Ramon-Gastulo was arrested on requested charges of DUI, Child Endangerment, Failure to Give Info or Render Aid and No Proof of Liability Insurance.Ramon-Gastulo and the 11-year-old child were not injured from the accident. The total estimated property damage is over $20,000.00.

Kan. man arrested after crash into building with 11-year-old passenger

KANSAS CITY — Twenty Mexican nationals are among 39 defendants indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $4.7 million conspiracy to distribute more than 335 kilograms of methamphetamine and 22 kilograms of heroin over the past two years, according to the United State's Attorney.

“This operation took a significant amount of illegal drugs off the street, and disrupted a large Mexican drug-trafficking organization in the Kansas City metropolitan area,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. 

“State, local, and federal law enforcement agencies worked together in this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation to bring drug traffickers to justice and protect our community from the violence and other harms that result from the flow of illegal drugs.”

On June 8, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led an operation that involved 140 officers and agents from 14 state, local and federal law enforcement agencies. The takedown resulted in the arrests of 31 defendants charged in the indictment as well as three additional felony state arrests. Three of the federal defendants were already in custody at the time of the takedown and five of the federal defendants remain fugitives from justice.

On the day of the takedown, officers executed 16 search warrants and seized 84.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, 4.5 kilograms of heroin, 10.4 kilograms of fentanyl, 7.6 kilograms of cocaine, 10.5 kilograms of marijuana, 687 Xanax pills, 3.1 kilograms of unknown pills, a quantity of bulk cash, five firearms, a 3D printer with manufactured ghost gun parts, and a liquid methamphetamine conversion lab.

“This indictment represents HSI and our law enforcement partners’ dedication to removing deadly narcotics from our community,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City area of responsibility Katherine Greer. “We stand alongside our community leaders, stakeholders and the public, to continue our work toward a safer community without the significant dangers associated with these illegal substances.”

The 91-count indictment was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on June 1, 2022. The indictment was unsealed and made public following the arrests and initial court appearances of the defendants.

The federal indictment charges Jose Jesus Sanchez-Mendez, also known as “Michoacano,” 41, Jesus Morales-Garcia, also known as “Don Jesus,” 43, Luis Eduardo Pineda-Zarao, 26, Juan Bernardo Galeana-Aguilar, 45, Baltazar Flores-Norzagaray, also known as “Sinaloa,” 50, Rafael Perez-Esquivel, 51, Jose Eliazar Valle-Rivera, 39, Uziel Morales-Baltazar, 31, Erick Fernando Martinez Contreras, also known as “Alex,” 34, Joel Enrique Roman, also known as “Pelon,” 44, Miguel Angel Juarez-Lopez, also known as “Chapo,” 47, Jonathan Zuniga-Villafuerte, 30, Sergio Armando Valencia-Ochoa, 36, Juan Humberto Lemus-Mejia, 24, Yuliana Del Carmen Perez Ciprian, 38, Trinidad Torres-Meza, 41, Miriam Veronica Bustos-Martinez, 37, and Liliana Valencia-Mendoza, 40, addresses unknown and all citizens of Mexico; Flor Gonzalez-Celestine, 52, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo.; and Jose Bernabe Zamora-Cardenas, also known as “Mufa,” 52, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Kan.

The federal indictment also charges Tina Marie Cruces, 36, Lisbet Espino, 24, Frank Anthony Valdivia, 43, Melissa A. Bates, 55, and Monica L. McCubbin, 39, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Santiago Raul Mendieta-Sanchez, 41, a citizen of Honduras residing in Kansas City, Mo., Jennifer S. Lawson, 35, of Buckner, Mo.; Felton Stone Jr., 45, Donald R. Moses, also known as “Moe,” 51, Felipe Antonio Alcala, 30, Anthony C. Hughes, 37, Maria Nancy Valdez, 32, Ignacio Barragan-Vazquez, 32, Yvonne Guzman-Carpio, also known as “Morena,” 39, Kongmhink Her, 41, addresses unknown;&nbsp; Marco Antonio Salazar, also known as “Tono,” 29, and Nelson Alirio Garcia-Guerra, 28, both citizens of Guatemala, addresses unknown; Arantxa Sabrina Valderrama-Barros, also known as “Sabri,” 25, a citizen of Venezuela, address unknown; and Daniel Felipe Suarez-Reinoso, 30, a citizen of Colombia, address unknown.

All of the defendants are charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin from Feb. 28, 2020, to June 1, 2022.

In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, Sanchez-Mendez, Zamora-Cardenas, Valencia-Ochoa, Valencia-Mendoza and Suarez-Reinoso are charged with participating in a money-laundering conspiracy related to transporting or transferring the proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy to Mexico.

Sanchez-Mendez and Morales-Garcia are also charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise related to the drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies and other offenses alleged in the indictment. The indictment alleges Sanchez-Mendez and Morales-Garcia occupied a position of organizer, supervisor, or manager of the ongoing criminal enterprise, from which they obtained substantial income.

The federal indictment charges various defendants in various counts of distributing heroin and fentanyl, distributing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine and heroin with the intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm, money laundering, reentry by an illegal alien, and using cell phones to facilitate drug-trafficking crimes.

The indictment also contains forfeiture allegations that would require the defendants to forfeit to the government $4,718,700, which represents the proceeds of the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy and criminal enterprise. The indictment alleges the conspiracy involved the distribution of more than 335.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an average street price of $300 per ounce, and more than 22.1 kilograms of heroin, with an average street price of $1,500 per ounce.

The forfeiture allegations would also require the defendants to forfeit to the government $277,440 that was seized by law enforcement officers from a vehicle driven by Suarez-Reinoso and $51,445 that was seized by law enforcement officers while executing two search warrants at Kansas City, Mo., residences.

KANSAS CITY — Twenty Mexican nationals are among 39 defendants indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $4.7 million conspiracy to distribute more than 335 kilograms of methamphetamine and 22 kilograms of heroin over the past two years, according to the United State's Attorney.“This operation took a significant amount of illegal drugs off the street, and disrupted a large Mexican drug-trafficking organization in the Kansas City metropolitan area,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “State, local, and federal law enforcement agencies worked together in this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation to bring drug traffickers to justice and protect our community from the violence and other harms that result from the flow of illegal drugs.”On June 8, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led an operation that involved 140 officers and agents from 14 state, local and federal law enforcement agencies. The takedown resulted in the arrests of 31 defendants charged in the indictment as well as three additional felony state arrests. Three of the federal defendants were already in custody at the time of the takedown and five of the federal defendants remain fugitives from justice.On the day of the takedown, officers executed 16 search warrants and seized 84.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, 4.5 kilograms of heroin, 10.4 kilograms of fentanyl, 7.6 kilograms of cocaine, 10.5 kilograms of marijuana, 687 Xanax pills, 3.1 kilograms of unknown pills, a quantity of bulk cash, five firearms, a 3D printer with manufactured ghost gun parts, and a liquid methamphetamine conversion lab.“This indictment represents HSI and our law enforcement partners’ dedication to removing deadly narcotics from our community,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City area of responsibility Katherine Greer. “We stand alongside our community leaders, stakeholders and the public, to continue our work toward a safer community without the significant dangers associated with these illegal substances.”The 91-count indictment was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on June 1, 2022. The indictment was unsealed and made public following the arrests and initial court appearances of the defendants.The federal indictment charges Jose Jesus Sanchez-Mendez, also known as “Michoacano,” 41, Jesus Morales-Garcia, also known as “Don Jesus,” 43, Luis Eduardo Pineda-Zarao, 26, Juan Bernardo Galeana-Aguilar, 45, Baltazar Flores-Norzagaray, also known as “Sinaloa,” 50, Rafael Perez-Esquivel, 51, Jose Eliazar Valle-Rivera, 39, Uziel Morales-Baltazar, 31, Erick Fernando Martinez Contreras, also known as “Alex,” 34, Joel Enrique Roman, also known as “Pelon,” 44, Miguel Angel Juarez-Lopez, also known as “Chapo,” 47, Jonathan Zuniga-Villafuerte, 30, Sergio Armando Valencia-Ochoa, 36, Juan Humberto Lemus-Mejia, 24, Yuliana Del Carmen Perez Ciprian, 38, Trinidad Torres-Meza, 41, Miriam Veronica Bustos-Martinez, 37, and Liliana Valencia-Mendoza, 40, addresses unknown and all citizens of Mexico; Flor Gonzalez-Celestine, 52, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo.; and Jose Bernabe Zamora-Cardenas, also known as “Mufa,” 52, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Kan.The federal indictment also charges Tina Marie Cruces, 36, Lisbet Espino, 24, Frank Anthony Valdivia, 43, Melissa A. Bates, 55, and Monica L. McCubbin, 39, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Santiago Raul Mendieta-Sanchez, 41, a citizen of Honduras residing in Kansas City, Mo., Jennifer S. Lawson, 35, of Buckner, Mo.; Felton Stone Jr., 45, Donald R. Moses, also known as “Moe,” 51, Felipe Antonio Alcala, 30, Anthony C. Hughes, 37, Maria Nancy Valdez, 32, Ignacio Barragan-Vazquez, 32, Yvonne Guzman-Carpio, also known as “Morena,” 39, Kongmhink Her, 41, addresses unknown;&nbsp; Marco Antonio Salazar, also known as “Tono,” 29, and Nelson Alirio Garcia-Guerra, 28, both citizens of Guatemala, addresses unknown; Arantxa Sabrina Valderrama-Barros, also known as “Sabri,” 25, a citizen of Venezuela, address unknown; and Daniel Felipe Suarez-Reinoso, 30, a citizen of Colombia, address unknown.All of the defendants are charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin from Feb. 28, 2020, to June 1, 2022.In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, Sanchez-Mendez, Zamora-Cardenas, Valencia-Ochoa, Valencia-Mendoza and Suarez-Reinoso are charged with participating in a money-laundering conspiracy related to transporting or transferring the proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy to Mexico.Sanchez-Mendez and Morales-Garcia are also charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise related to the drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies and other offenses alleged in the indictment. The indictment alleges Sanchez-Mendez and Morales-Garcia occupied a position of organizer, supervisor, or manager of the ongoing criminal enterprise, from which they obtained substantial income.The federal indictment charges various defendants in various counts of distributing heroin and fentanyl, distributing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine and heroin with the intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm, money laundering, reentry by an illegal alien, and using cell phones to facilitate drug-trafficking crimes.The indictment also contains forfeiture allegations that would require the defendants to forfeit to the government $4,718,700, which represents the proceeds of the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy and criminal enterprise. The indictment alleges the conspiracy involved the distribution of more than 335.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an average street price of $300 per ounce, and more than 22.1 kilograms of heroin, with an average street price of $1,500 per ounce.The forfeiture allegations would also require the defendants to forfeit to the government $277,440 that was seized by law enforcement officers from a vehicle driven by Suarez-Reinoso and $51,445 that was seized by law enforcement officers while executing two search warrants at Kansas City, Mo., residences.

20 Mexican nationals accused in Kansas City heroin, meth conspiracy

FORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Ford County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the murders of a mother and daughter from Spearville, Kansas.

Just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to 203 West Avenue B in Spearville, according to a media release from the Ford County Sheriff's Department. A man at the residence told deputies his girlfriend 31-year-old Kayla Vasquez and daughter 4-year-old Aalilyah were missing.

While they were inside the home, law enforcement officers noticed evidence that a crime had occurred in the residence. The man, identified as Michael A. Peterson, 31, of Spearville, was detained for questioning.

Just before 4 p.m., the Ford County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene to investigate.

KBI agents and deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office began an extensive search for Kayla and Aalilyah Vasquez. They were later assisted by the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office.

Just after 4 a.m. Thursday, authorities located the body of Kayla Vasquez in rural Ford County. Then at around 5:40 a.m., the body of Aalilyah Vasquez was discovered in Kinsley. Autopsies will be conducted.

At approximately 7:35 a.m. Thursday,&nbsp; authorities arrested Peterson on requested charges of capital murder connected to the deaths.

No threat to the public is believed to exist related to this incident.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Ford County Sheriff’s Office at 620-227-4501.

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the disappearance of a Kansas woman and 4-year-old girl.

The sheriff's office requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to assist them in the investigation.

Kayla Vasquez is described as 5-foot-5 inches tall, 200 pounds, with dark hair and hazel eyes.&nbsp; Aalilyah is 3-foot-five inches tall with brown hair and eyes. Anyone with information on the disappearance is asked to call law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655373990456.png" alt="Kayla and Aalilyah Vasquez-photo Ford Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Kayla and Aalilyah Vasquez-photo Ford Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Ford County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the murders of a mother and daughter from Spearville, Kansas.Just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to 203 West Avenue B in Spearville, according to a media release from the Ford County Sheriff's Department. A man at the residence told deputies his girlfriend 31-year-old Kayla Vasquez and daughter 4-year-old Aalilyah were missing.While they were inside the home, law enforcement officers noticed evidence that a crime had occurred in the residence. The man, identified as Michael A. Peterson, 31, of Spearville, was detained for questioning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655398104068.png" alt="Peterson-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Peterson-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 4 p.m., the Ford County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene to investigate.KBI agents and deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office began an extensive search for Kayla and Aalilyah Vasquez. They were later assisted by the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office.Just after 4 a.m. Thursday, authorities located the body of Kayla Vasquez in rural Ford County. Then at around 5:40 a.m., the body of Aalilyah Vasquez was discovered in Kinsley. Autopsies will be conducted.At approximately 7:35 a.m. Thursday,&nbsp; authorities arrested Peterson on requested charges of capital murder connected to the deaths.No threat to the public is believed to exist related to this incident.Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Ford County Sheriff’s Office at 620-227-4501.--------FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the disappearance of a Kansas woman and 4-year-old girl.Just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to 203 West Avenue B in Spearville, according to a media release from the Ford County Sheriff's Department. A man at the residence told deputies his girlfriend 31-year-old Kayla Vasquez and daughter 4-year-old Aalilyah were missing.The sheriff's office requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to assist them in the investigation.Kayla Vasquez is described as 5-foot-5 inches tall, 200 pounds, with dark hair and hazel eyes.&nbsp; Aalilyah is 3-foot-five inches tall with brown hair and eyes. Anyone with information on the disappearance is asked to call law enforcement.

Update KBI: Man arrested after bodies of SW Kan. woman, daughter found 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Jan. 6 committee plunged into Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to reject the electoral count.

(Click below to watch a replay of Thursday's hearing)

Gripping new evidence also detailed how the mob that stormed the Capitol that day came within 40 feet of where Pence and his team were sheltering, highlighting the danger Trump had put him in. Thursday's witnesses, including Pence's counsel, dissected a strategy Trump embraced from conservative law professor John Eastman to have Pence refuse to certify Joe Biden’s election victory in a Jan. 6 joint session of Congress.”

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">The 1/6 committee</a>&nbsp;is set to plunge into Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressuring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">Vice President Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;to reject the electoral count — powers Pence didn’t have — in the run-up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-conspiracy-crime-c2e427dc0fa16077d7fb98c06e61149f">the U.S. Capitol riot</a>.

Click below to watch a replay of the hearing

With two witnesses Thursday, the House panel intends to show how Trump’s false claims of a fraudulent election left him grasping for alternatives as courts turned back dozens of lawsuits challenging the vote.

Trump latched onto&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-elections-california-donald-trump-election-2020-f37b212a35ab87ddce10d141bb80ae28">conservative law professor John Eastman’s obscure plan</a>&nbsp;and launched a public and private pressure campaign on Pence days before the vice president was to preside over the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress to certify Joe Biden’s election victory. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-elections-crime-donald-trump-presidential-elections-7b25a5f116f56f73d60b6cb298386bb9">federal judge has said it is “more likely than not” Trump committed crimes</a>&nbsp;in his attempt to stop the certification.

“The illegality of the plan was obvious,” the Jan. 6 panel said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-crime-donald-trump-united-states-presidential-elections-d6f316446682ea36e85e2fc4e0581a87">court filing against Eastman</a>. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., committee co-chair, said in her opening statement last week: “What President Trump demanded that Mike Pence do wasn’t just wrong, it was illegal and it was unconstitutional.”

The committee will hear from Greg Jacob, the vice president’s counsel who fended off Eastman’s ideas for Pence to carry out the plan; and retired federal judge Michael Luttig, who called the plan from Eastman, his former law clerk, “incorrect at every turn.”

Thursday’s session is also expected to divulge new evidence about the danger Pence faced that day as the mob stormed the Capitol shouting “hang Mike Pence!” with a gallows on the Capitol grounds as the vice president fled with senators into hiding. Nine people died in the riot and its aftermath.

The session is expected to show how Trump’s pressure on Pence “directly contributed” to the attack on the Capitol, according to a committee aide who insisted on anonymity to discuss the upcoming hearing.

Ahead of the hearing, Pence’s former chief of staff, Marc Short, said his boss was determined to stay at the Capitol that night and finish the job, despite the threats.

“He knew his job was to stay at his post,” Short said on CNN on Wednesday.

Short said Pence didn’t want the world seeing the vice president leaving the Capitol when “a hallmark of democracy” was under siege.

“He thought it was important that he stay there and make sure the work of the American people was completed that night,” said Short, who testified under subpoena to the committee for eight hours, but has not yet appeared as a live witness.

The panel is reconvening for a third hearing this month after a blockbuster prime-time start last week, followed by logistical setbacks in recent days. Monday’s key witness, former Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, abruptly declined to appear in person because his wife was in labor with their child. Wednesday’s scheduled hearing with witnesses from the Justice Department who tried to convince Trump that his claims of voter fraud were just not true was postponed.

Nevertheless, the panel’s yearlong investigation is showcasing Trump’s final weeks in office as the defeated president clung to “the big lie” of a rigged election even as those around him — his family, his top aides, officials at the highest levels of government — were telling him he simply lost the election.

Former Attorney General William Barr, who resigned at the end of 2020 rather than be part of Trump’s plans, testified earlier that the president was becoming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-capitol-siege-donald-trump-campaigns-presidential-070ced9a013c58cf001d6d4137e4abc0">“detached from reality”</a>&nbsp;if he believed the lies. He said he told the president his claims of voter fraud were “bull-—.”

With 1,000 interviews and reams of 140,000 documents, the committee is connecting the dots, showing how Trump’s false claims of election fraud became a battle cry as he summoned thousands of Americans to Washington for a Jan. 6 rally and then sent them to Capitol Hill to “fight like hell” for his presidency.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-conspiracy-crime-c2e427dc0fa16077d7fb98c06e61149f">More than 800 people have been arrested</a>&nbsp;in the Capitol siege, and the panel is considering whether to send a referral for criminal charges against Trump to the Justice Department. No president or former president has ever been indicted by the Justice Department, and Attorney General Merrick Garland has said he and his team are following the proceedings in Congress.

For now, the panel is pressing ahead with its hearings, with more scheduled for next week.

Thursday’s will unpack the Eastman plan to have the states send alternative slates of electors from the five or seven states Trump was disputing, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. With competing slates for Trump or Biden, Pence would be forced to reject them, returning them to the states to sort it out, under the plan.

Pence refused the plan, believing the founding fathers would not have left it to one person, the vice president, to decide the outcome, Jacob told the panel in previous testimony. Jacob said the idea was utterly against some 130 years of precedent in American history, “entirely made up.”

The committee in hearings ahead will be delving into the roles of extremist groups and others who heeded Trump’s call to Washington. Leaders and others from the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys face&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">rare sedition charges</a>&nbsp;over their roles in the Capitol attack.

Several members of Congress are also under scrutiny, including Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., whom the committee has asked for an interview to discuss a Capitol tour he gave that included basement tunnels to a group of people the day before the attack.

The panel is also probing several candidates for elected office, including the Republican nominee for governor in Pennsylvania, who were among the rioters.

The panel, which is expected to deliver a final report on its findings later this year, intends for its work to be a record for history of the most violent attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812. Unlike other national traumas that have pulled the country together, the Jan. 6 Capitol attack appears to have left many Americans divided. Congress splintered over forming the committee, which most Republicans opposed.

The panel’s two Republicans,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-capitol-siege-donald-trump-wyoming-presidential-4fd397e5ba68de1924f52c79507eff2f">Cheney</a>&nbsp;and Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, have been shunned by the GOP for their work with Democrats leading the investigation into Trump and his role in the Capitol attack.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609956651601.png" alt="Former Vice President Mike Pence as he&nbsp;presided over the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress to certify Joe Biden’s election victory-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Former Vice President Mike Pence as he&nbsp;presided over the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress to certify Joe Biden’s election victory-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Jan. 6 committee plunged into Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to reject the electoral count.(Click below to watch a replay of Thursday's hearing)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vBjUWVKuDj0?start=250" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Gripping new evidence also detailed how the mob that stormed the Capitol that day came within 40 feet of where Pence and his team were sheltering, highlighting the danger Trump had put him in. Thursday's witnesses, including Pence's counsel, dissected a strategy Trump embraced from conservative law professor John Eastman to have Pence refuse to certify Joe Biden’s election victory in a Jan. 6 joint session of Congress.”----------WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">The 1/6 committee</a>&nbsp;is set to plunge into Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressuring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">Vice President Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;to reject the electoral count — powers Pence didn’t have — in the run-up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-conspiracy-crime-c2e427dc0fa16077d7fb98c06e61149f">the U.S. Capitol riot</a>.Click below to watch a replay of the hearing<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vBjUWVKuDj0?start=250" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>With two witnesses Thursday, the House panel intends to show how Trump’s false claims of a fraudulent election left him grasping for alternatives as courts turned back dozens of lawsuits challenging the vote.Trump latched onto&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-elections-california-donald-trump-election-2020-f37b212a35ab87ddce10d141bb80ae28">conservative law professor John Eastman’s obscure plan</a>&nbsp;and launched a public and private pressure campaign on Pence days before the vice president was to preside over the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress to certify Joe Biden’s election victory. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-elections-crime-donald-trump-presidential-elections-7b25a5f116f56f73d60b6cb298386bb9">federal judge has said it is “more likely than not” Trump committed crimes</a>&nbsp;in his attempt to stop the certification.“The illegality of the plan was obvious,” the Jan. 6 panel said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-crime-donald-trump-united-states-presidential-elections-d6f316446682ea36e85e2fc4e0581a87">court filing against Eastman</a>. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., committee co-chair, said in her opening statement last week: “What President Trump demanded that Mike Pence do wasn’t just wrong, it was illegal and it was unconstitutional.”The committee will hear from Greg Jacob, the vice president’s counsel who fended off Eastman’s ideas for Pence to carry out the plan; and retired federal judge Michael Luttig, who called the plan from Eastman, his former law clerk, “incorrect at every turn.”Thursday’s session is also expected to divulge new evidence about the danger Pence faced that day as the mob stormed the Capitol shouting “hang Mike Pence!” with a gallows on the Capitol grounds as the vice president fled with senators into hiding. Nine people died in the riot and its aftermath.The session is expected to show how Trump’s pressure on Pence “directly contributed” to the attack on the Capitol, according to a committee aide who insisted on anonymity to discuss the upcoming hearing.Ahead of the hearing, Pence’s former chief of staff, Marc Short, said his boss was determined to stay at the Capitol that night and finish the job, despite the threats.“He knew his job was to stay at his post,” Short said on CNN on Wednesday.Short said Pence didn’t want the world seeing the vice president leaving the Capitol when “a hallmark of democracy” was under siege.“He thought it was important that he stay there and make sure the work of the American people was completed that night,” said Short, who testified under subpoena to the committee for eight hours, but has not yet appeared as a live witness.The panel is reconvening for a third hearing this month after a blockbuster prime-time start last week, followed by logistical setbacks in recent days. Monday’s key witness, former Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, abruptly declined to appear in person because his wife was in labor with their child. Wednesday’s scheduled hearing with witnesses from the Justice Department who tried to convince Trump that his claims of voter fraud were just not true was postponed.Nevertheless, the panel’s yearlong investigation is showcasing Trump’s final weeks in office as the defeated president clung to “the big lie” of a rigged election even as those around him — his family, his top aides, officials at the highest levels of government — were telling him he simply lost the election.Former Attorney General William Barr, who resigned at the end of 2020 rather than be part of Trump’s plans, testified earlier that the president was becoming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-capitol-siege-donald-trump-campaigns-presidential-070ced9a013c58cf001d6d4137e4abc0">“detached from reality”</a>&nbsp;if he believed the lies. He said he told the president his claims of voter fraud were “bull-—.”With 1,000 interviews and reams of 140,000 documents, the committee is connecting the dots, showing how Trump’s false claims of election fraud became a battle cry as he summoned thousands of Americans to Washington for a Jan. 6 rally and then sent them to Capitol Hill to “fight like hell” for his presidency.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-conspiracy-crime-c2e427dc0fa16077d7fb98c06e61149f">More than 800 people have been arrested</a>&nbsp;in the Capitol siege, and the panel is considering whether to send a referral for criminal charges against Trump to the Justice Department. No president or former president has ever been indicted by the Justice Department, and Attorney General Merrick Garland has said he and his team are following the proceedings in Congress.For now, the panel is pressing ahead with its hearings, with more scheduled for next week.Thursday’s will unpack the Eastman plan to have the states send alternative slates of electors from the five or seven states Trump was disputing, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. With competing slates for Trump or Biden, Pence would be forced to reject them, returning them to the states to sort it out, under the plan.Pence refused the plan, believing the founding fathers would not have left it to one person, the vice president, to decide the outcome, Jacob told the panel in previous testimony. Jacob said the idea was utterly against some 130 years of precedent in American history, “entirely made up.”The committee in hearings ahead will be delving into the roles of extremist groups and others who heeded Trump’s call to Washington. Leaders and others from the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys face&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">rare sedition charges</a>&nbsp;over their roles in the Capitol attack.Several members of Congress are also under scrutiny, including Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., whom the committee has asked for an interview to discuss a Capitol tour he gave that included basement tunnels to a group of people the day before the attack.The panel is also probing several candidates for elected office, including the Republican nominee for governor in Pennsylvania, who were among the rioters.The panel, which is expected to deliver a final report on its findings later this year, intends for its work to be a record for history of the most violent attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812. Unlike other national traumas that have pulled the country together, the Jan. 6 Capitol attack appears to have left many Americans divided. Congress splintered over forming the committee, which most Republicans opposed.The panel’s two Republicans,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-capitol-siege-donald-trump-wyoming-presidential-4fd397e5ba68de1924f52c79507eff2f">Cheney</a>&nbsp;and Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, have been shunned by the GOP for their work with Democrats leading the investigation into Trump and his role in the Capitol attack.

🎥 Day 3 replay: 1/6 panel probes Trump pressure on Pence to reject election

GEARY COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;On Wednesday, June 15, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) executed search warrants at the Junction City Police Department (JCPD), and other police department facilities in Geary County, according to a media release from the agency.

The search warrants relate to an ongoing investigation into allegations made against certain personnel of the JCPD.&nbsp;

The KBI initiated this case on June 7. The involved JCPD personnel were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. The police department is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Currently, no arrest(s) have been made.&nbsp;

GEARY COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;On Wednesday, June 15, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) executed search warrants at the Junction City Police Department (JCPD), and other police department facilities in Geary County, according to a media release from the agency.The search warrants relate to an ongoing investigation into allegations made against certain personnel of the JCPD.&nbsp;The KBI initiated this case on June 7. The involved JCPD personnel were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. The police department is cooperating fully with the investigation.Currently, no arrest(s) have been made.&nbsp;

KBI executed search warrants at Junction City Police Dept.

KANSAS CITY – A man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally excavating a prehistoric Native American site near Tightwad, Mo., causing more than $300,000 in damage, according to the United State's Attorney.

Johnny Lee Brown, 70, Clinton, Missouri was charged in an 11-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on April 26, 2022. That indictment was unsealed and made public Tuesday upon Brown’s arrest and initial court appearance.

According to the indictment, Brown participated in a conspiracy from June 20, 2016, to September 2021 to unlawfully excavate archeological resources from federal lands at Harry S. Truman Lake in Henry County, Mo. 

The site, which is located on a peninsula in Harry Truman Lake, is a large prehistoric Native American site that dates to the Late Archaic Period (3,000-5,000 years ago).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655289579189.png" alt="Harry Truman State Park-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Harry Truman State Park-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally excavating a prehistoric Native American site near Tightwad, Mo., causing more than $300,000 in damage, according to the United State's Attorney.Johnny Lee Brown, 70, Clinton, Missouri was charged in an 11-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on April 26, 2022. That indictment was unsealed and made public Tuesday upon Brown’s arrest and initial court appearance.According to the indictment, Brown participated in a conspiracy from June 20, 2016, to September 2021 to unlawfully excavate archeological resources from federal lands at Harry S. Truman Lake in Henry County, Mo. The site, which is located on a peninsula in Harry Truman Lake, is a large prehistoric Native American site that dates to the Late Archaic Period (3,000-5,000 years ago).The federal indictment also refers to two known co-conspirators who are not identified as well as unknown co-conspirators. The indictment alleges that Brown and his co-conspirators either drove down a closed access road or walked to the site. They allegedly used tools ranging from small handheld trowels to full-size shovels, rakes, and hoes to dig, excavate, or otherwise damage large areas.Damage to the site, says the indictment, has been estimated by a professional archeologist to be in excess of $300,000. According to the Osage Nation, the excavation damage to this archaeological site caused by this conspiracy greatly impacts the cultural history of the Osage Nation and affiliated tribes.In addition to the conspiracy, Brown is charged with five felony counts of excavating, damaging, and otherwise altering and defacing archeological resources. Brown is also charged with five felony counts of injury or depredation to government property. The indictment cites 10 specific occasions on which Brown and his co-conspirators excavated the site.