TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced Monday that Attorney General’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that will allow KBI agents to work with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to remove criminal illegal aliens from Kansas. 

Kansas is one of the first states in the nation to enter such an agreement.

“All across Kansas, illegal aliens who are dangerous criminals or gang members are released back to the streets on a regular basis. That will end. This agreement will ensure that those criminals are deported,” Kobach said.Under the terms of the agreement, a limited number of KBI agents will receive ICE training that authorizes the agents to arrest illegal aliens, to serve and execute warrants for some immigration violations, and to issue immigration detainers.Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes states and political subdivisions of a state to enter into such agreements.“The KBI is pleased to have another tool at our disposal to get known criminal offenders out of our communities,” KBI Director Tony Mattivi said. “This agreement will not shift KBI investigative priorities but will allow us to more swiftly achieve justice in cases in which the KBI currently focuses – major violent crimes, crimes committed against children, and targeting drug trafficking organizations.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738002670796.png" alt="Photo Homeland Security-ICE" />
 <figcaption>Photo Homeland Security-ICE</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced Monday that Attorney General’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that will allow KBI agents to work with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to remove criminal illegal aliens from Kansas. Kansas is one of the first states in the nation to enter such an agreement.“All across Kansas, illegal aliens who are dangerous criminals or gang members are released back to the streets on a regular basis. That will end. This agreement will ensure that those criminals are deported,” Kobach said.Under the terms of the agreement, a limited number of KBI agents will receive ICE training that authorizes the agents to arrest illegal aliens, to serve and execute warrants for some immigration violations, and to issue immigration detainers.Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes states and political subdivisions of a state to enter into such agreements.“The KBI is pleased to have another tool at our disposal to get known criminal offenders out of our communities,” KBI Director Tony Mattivi said. “This agreement will not shift KBI investigative priorities but will allow us to more swiftly achieve justice in cases in which the KBI currently focuses – major violent crimes, crimes committed against children, and targeting drug trafficking organizations.”

KBI partners with feds to remove criminal illegal aliens from Kansas

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 46-year-old Keevon U. Mitchell, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just after 11:30a.m. Sunday, patrol officers were dispatched a report of a vehicle accident in the area of 56th and Woodland in Kansas City.

The call was upgraded to a shooting. As officers arrived they located Mitchell inside of a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound.

Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS. Emergency medical personnel pronounced Mitchell deceased on scene.This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or suspect details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739759041991.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 46-year-old Keevon U. Mitchell, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Just after 11:30a.m. Sunday, patrol officers were dispatched a report of a vehicle accident in the area of 56th and Woodland in Kansas City.The call was upgraded to a shooting. As officers arrived they located Mitchell inside of a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound.Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS. Emergency medical personnel pronounced Mitchell deceased on scene.This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or suspect details.

Police: Victim in weekend KC homicide a 46-year-old man

KANSAS CITY– Employees with the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service are among three defendants who have been indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing and cashing a U.S. Treasury check, according to the United State's Attorney.

Sierra S. McCall, 31, of Independence, Mo., Jalen Koonce, 31, of Raytown, Mo., and Julian A. King, 31, address unknown, were charged in a three-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Feb. 6. The indictment was unsealed and made public following Koonce’s arrest and initial court appearance on Friday, Feb. 7.

McCall is employed by the IRS as a customer contact representative. Koonce is employed by the U.S. Postal Service at the sorting facility where government checks are processed.

The federal indictment charges McCall, Koonce, and King together in one count of the theft of government property. The indictment alleges they aided and abetted each other to steal and cash a $72,236 U.S. Treasury check on Aug. 9, 2023.

The indictment also charges Koonce and King each with one count of money laundering related to financial transactions on Aug. 9, 2023, that involved the proceeds of the theft of government property.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General.

KANSAS CITY– Employees with the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service are among three defendants who have been indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing and cashing a U.S. Treasury check, according to the United State's Attorney.Sierra S. McCall, 31, of Independence, Mo., Jalen Koonce, 31, of Raytown, Mo., and Julian A. King, 31, address unknown, were charged in a three-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Feb. 6. The indictment was unsealed and made public following Koonce’s arrest and initial court appearance on Friday, Feb. 7.McCall is employed by the IRS as a customer contact representative. Koonce is employed by the U.S. Postal Service at the sorting facility where government checks are processed.The federal indictment charges McCall, Koonce, and King together in one count of the theft of government property. The indictment alleges they aided and abetted each other to steal and cash a $72,236 U.S. Treasury check on Aug. 9, 2023.The indictment also charges Koonce and King each with one count of money laundering related to financial transactions on Aug. 9, 2023, that involved the proceeds of the theft of government property.The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General.

IRS, KC postal employees accused of stealing U.S. Treasury check

MOSCOW (AP) —Russia has freed a U.S. citizen arrested earlier this month on drug smuggling charges, according to Russian media reports and a U.S. official.

The move appears to be an effort to ease tensions between Moscow and Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-us-saudi-talks-0c7f21c2125c97fd0a1f6459eebeb65b">ahead of talks</a>&nbsp;in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Kalob Byers, 28, was detained on Feb. 7 at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport after customs officials allegedly found cannabis-laced marmalade in his baggage. According to media reports, Byers had traveled from Istanbul with his Russian fiancee, who was also detained. The authorities said he had attempted to smuggle a “significant amount” of drugs into the country and put him in custody on the charges of drug smuggling, punishable by a prison term of up to 10 years.

Byers has been released from custody and is in the U.S. embassy in Moscow where he is awaiting a flight home, Russian independent news outlet Meduza reported Monday, citing a Facebook post by his parents. A U.S. official confirmed to The Associated Press that Byers was released to the embassy late on Sunday evening. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss sensitive matters.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday in response to a question about Byers that Moscow expects “to discuss restoring the entire complex of Russian-American relations” at the talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, “so certain events can be viewed in this context.”

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Byers’ fiancee was also released. Russian media reports identified her as Naida Mambetova and said she was placed in pre-trial detention on the same charges.

Arrests of American nationals in Russia have become increasingly common in recent years, with relations between Moscow and Washington sinking to Cold War lows over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war in Ukraine</a>. Some have been released in prisoner exchanges. The most recent one included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-20ab40d17f8a9b4abf9b3498da979859">Marc Fogel, a teacher from Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;imprisoned in Russia on charges similar to those Byers had faced.

Fogel was detained in 2021 when traveling to Russia to work at a school and handed a 14-year sentence for having what his family and supporters said was medically prescribed marijuana. He was released and brought back to the U.S. earlier this month in a swap that saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-prisoner-swap-fogel-vinnik-99c8ba8ab8ac31dc017148c7a94f9685">Alexander Vinnik, a Russian cryptocurrency expert</a>&nbsp;who faced Bitcoin fraud charges in the U.S., returned to Russia.

The release of Fogel and Byers come as tensions between Russia and the U.S. appear to ease.

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday upended three years of U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Russia, saying he and Russia’s President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;had agreed to begin negotiations on ending the conflict following a lengthy direct phone call.

MOSCOW (AP) —Russia has freed a U.S. citizen arrested earlier this month on drug smuggling charges, according to Russian media reports and a U.S. official.The move appears to be an effort to ease tensions between Moscow and Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-us-saudi-talks-0c7f21c2125c97fd0a1f6459eebeb65b">ahead of talks</a>&nbsp;in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.Kalob Byers, 28, was detained on Feb. 7 at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport after customs officials allegedly found cannabis-laced marmalade in his baggage. According to media reports, Byers had traveled from Istanbul with his Russian fiancee, who was also detained. The authorities said he had attempted to smuggle a “significant amount” of drugs into the country and put him in custody on the charges of drug smuggling, punishable by a prison term of up to 10 years.Byers has been released from custody and is in the U.S. embassy in Moscow where he is awaiting a flight home, Russian independent news outlet Meduza reported Monday, citing a Facebook post by his parents. A U.S. official confirmed to The Associated Press that Byers was released to the embassy late on Sunday evening. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss sensitive matters.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday in response to a question about Byers that Moscow expects “to discuss restoring the entire complex of Russian-American relations” at the talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, “so certain events can be viewed in this context.”It wasn’t immediately clear whether Byers’ fiancee was also released. Russian media reports identified her as Naida Mambetova and said she was placed in pre-trial detention on the same charges.Arrests of American nationals in Russia have become increasingly common in recent years, with relations between Moscow and Washington sinking to Cold War lows over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war in Ukraine</a>. Some have been released in prisoner exchanges. The most recent one included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-20ab40d17f8a9b4abf9b3498da979859">Marc Fogel, a teacher from Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;imprisoned in Russia on charges similar to those Byers had faced.Fogel was detained in 2021 when traveling to Russia to work at a school and handed a 14-year sentence for having what his family and supporters said was medically prescribed marijuana. He was released and brought back to the U.S. earlier this month in a swap that saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-prisoner-swap-fogel-vinnik-99c8ba8ab8ac31dc017148c7a94f9685">Alexander Vinnik, a Russian cryptocurrency expert</a>&nbsp;who faced Bitcoin fraud charges in the U.S., returned to Russia.The release of Fogel and Byers come as tensions between Russia and the U.S. appear to ease.President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday upended three years of U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Russia, saying he and Russia’s President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;had agreed to begin negotiations on ending the conflict following a lengthy direct phone call.—

American jailed in Moscow on drug charges is freed ahead of Russia-US talks

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a college student for an alleged prank phone call.

Just before 9p.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;responded to a dormitory on the Benedictine College campus to investigate a report that someone was being chased with a knife, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 The investigation that followed determined the report was false and that a student had made a prank call to a college staff person resulting in law enforcement response.

Police arrested 20-year-old Lydia C. Fontenot, 20, Southlake Texas, at 1020 North 2nd Street. She was jailed on a requested charge in connection with transmitting false information to request emergency service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739807980534.png" alt="Fontenot photo Atchison Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Fontenot photo Atchison Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a college student for an alleged prank phone call.Just before 9p.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;responded to a dormitory on the Benedictine College campus to investigate a report that someone was being chased with a knife, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. The investigation that followed determined the report was false and that a student had made a prank call to a college staff person resulting in law enforcement response.Police arrested 20-year-old Lydia C. Fontenot, 20, Southlake Texas, at 1020 North 2nd Street. She was jailed on a requested charge in connection with transmitting false information to request emergency service.&nbsp;

Student jailed for alleged prank phone call on Kan. college campus

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two men on drug allegations.

Just after 7:30a.m. February 10, a Sheriff’s Deputy located a stolen vehicle west of Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse The vehicle had been reported stolen on February 4, 2025, in Lansing, Kansas.

Deputies arrested two men and booked them into the Jackson County Jail. Justin Joe Riis, 31, of Topeka, is being held on requested charges that include distribution of methamphetamine, possession of opiates, interference with law enforcement altering/conceal/destroy evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp; 

Curtis Dean Sult, 63, of Lansing, is jailed on requested charges for possession of stolen property, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of opiates, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia. The PBPN Police assisted with the incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739279742586.png" alt="Riis photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Riis photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two men on drug allegations.Just after 7:30a.m. February 10, a Sheriff’s Deputy located a stolen vehicle west of Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse The vehicle had been reported stolen on February 4, 2025, in Lansing, Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739279709622.png" alt="Sult photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Sult photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested two men and booked them into the Jackson County Jail. Justin Joe Riis, 31, of Topeka, is being held on requested charges that include distribution of methamphetamine, possession of opiates, interference with law enforcement altering/conceal/destroy evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp; Curtis Dean Sult, 63, of Lansing, is jailed on requested charges for possession of stolen property, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of opiates, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia. The PBPN Police assisted with the incident.

Sheriff: 2 Kansas meth dealers caught in stolen vehicle

SHAWNEE COUNTY – A man is recovering in the hospital following a shooting in Topeka and police have made an arrest.

Just before 10:30 a.m. Feb. 11, police responded to a reported shooting near SE 2nd Street and Golden Avenue, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.&nbsp;

First responders located a man who had reportedly been shot by someone who is known to him. American Medical Response (AMR) and the Topeka Fire Department (TFD) responded to provide medical care, and the individual was transported to a local hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Shortly after, officers located a vehicle believed to belong to the suspect in the 300 block of SE Lime Street.

While officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, no one was located at the address.

On Thursday, police reported the arrest of Robert Bennett, 27, of Topeka. He is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Assault.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739488198366.png" alt="Bennett -photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Bennett -photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY – A man is recovering in the hospital following a shooting in Topeka and police have made an arrest.Just before 10:30 a.m. Feb. 11, police responded to a reported shooting near SE 2nd Street and Golden Avenue, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.&nbsp;First responders located a man who had reportedly been shot by someone who is known to him. American Medical Response (AMR) and the Topeka Fire Department (TFD) responded to provide medical care, and the individual was transported to a local hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;Shortly after, officers located a vehicle believed to belong to the suspect in the 300 block of SE Lime Street.While officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, no one was located at the address.On Thursday, police reported the arrest of Robert Bennett, 27, of Topeka. He is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Assault.

Kan. man accused of shooting that left victim in critical condition

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal stabbing in southwest Kansas and have a suspect in custody.

On Thursday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to a reported domestic violence situation in the 1200 block of Longbranch in Dodge City, according to a media release.

First responders found 76-year-old Leandro Huizar-De Los Santos suffering from multiple stab wounds. Officers and EMS attempted to render aid. Despite their efforts, Huizar-De Los Santos was pronounced deceased.

While on the scene, officers arrested 41-year-old Juan Huizar-Rojas for the alleged murder of Huizar-De Los Santos.

 A criminal case will be filed with the Ford County Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739558969850.png" alt="Huizar-Rojas photo Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Huizar-Rojas photo Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal stabbing in southwest Kansas and have a suspect in custody.On Thursday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to a reported domestic violence situation in the 1200 block of Longbranch in Dodge City, according to a media release.First responders found 76-year-old Leandro Huizar-De Los Santos suffering from multiple stab wounds. Officers and EMS attempted to render aid. Despite their efforts, Huizar-De Los Santos was pronounced deceased.While on the scene, officers arrested 41-year-old Juan Huizar-Rojas for the alleged murder of Huizar-De Los Santos. A criminal case will be filed with the Ford County Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;

Man accused in deadly southwest Kansas knife attack

By MOHAMMAD JAHJOUH, MELANIE LIDMAN and JALAL BWAITEL Associated Press

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas-led militants released three male Israeli hostages Saturday and Israeli forces began releasing hundreds of prisoners in return, in the latest indication that a fragile ceasefire that has paused fighting in the Gaza Strip but had teetered in recent days, is holding.

Militants in the southern Gaza Strip paraded the three hostages — Iair Horn, 46, a dual citizen of Israel and Argentina; American-Israeli Sagui Dekel Chen, 36; and Russian-Israeli Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29 — before a crowd before releasing them.

All had been abducted from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-hostages-0c14750240138853a70e38b0c09ef157">Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community that was hard-hit</a>&nbsp;in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. They appeared pale and worn, but seemed in better physical condition than the three men released last Saturday, who had emerged emaciated from 16 months of captivity.

The truce that began nearly four weeks ago had been jeopardized in recent days by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-ceasefire-explainer-war-404137d6c335f3227e0b0d8e94d773bc">tense dispute</a>&nbsp;that threatened to renew the fighting.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to remove more than 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and settle them elsewhere in the region has cast even more doubt on the future of the ceasefire.

But Hamas said Thursday it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-02-13-2025-ceasefire-hostages-34526505868eb797266a0aa17f4208e7">move ahead</a>&nbsp;with the release of more hostages after talks with Egyptian and Qatari officials. The group said the mediators had pledged to “remove all hurdles” to ensure Israel would allow more tents, medical supplies and other essentials into Gaza.

As with previous exchanges, the hostage release was heavily choreographed, with the captives made to walk onto a stage and speak into microphones before the crowd. Dozens of masked, armed Hamas fighters lined up near the stage festooned with Palestinian flags and banners of militant factions.

In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, a huge cheer went up as the hostages were transferred to the Red Cross. “Iair, Sagui and Sasha are on their way home!” an announcer said.

In return for the hostages’ release, Israel began releasing 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 36 serving life sentences over deadly attacks. A bus carrying the first released prisoners arrived in the occupied West Bank town of Beitunia and were greeted by a cheering crowd of relatives and supporters. Some appeared gaunt, and the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said four were immediately taken for medical treatment.

It is the sixth swap since the ceasefire took effect on Jan. 19. Before Saturday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-709efbcf93714a562640133d836bb31c">21 hostages</a>&nbsp;and over 730&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinian-prisoners-exchange-gaza-ceasefire-6c00b4d1e54b941e942b1f5a9ccb83d3">Palestinian prisoners</a>&nbsp;were freed during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-ceasefire-war-cb56a3da64e144492decfffc40c589cf">first phase of the truce</a>.

Who are the hostages and prisoners being released?

Horn was abducted along with his brother, Eitan Horn, who had been staying with him at the time. Eitan, 37, remains in captivity and is not on the list of hostages expected to be released in the ceasefire's first stage.

"Now, we can breathe a little. Our Iair is home after surviving hell in Gaza," his family said in a statement. “Now, we need to bring Eitan back so our family can truly breathe.”

Dekel Chen had been working outside when militants stormed the kibbutz. His pregnant wife, Avital Dekel Chen, hid in a safe room with their two daughters. She gave birth to their third daughter two months later. Speaking to Israeli media Saturday, she said she was overwhelmed with happiness to see Sagui back in Israel, where he will meet his youngest daughter, Shachar, for the first time.

Troufanov, whose father was killed during the Oct. 7 attack, was taken hostage along with his grandmother, mother and girlfriend. The three women were released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023. Troufanov was informed of his father's death after his release, shortly before being reunited with his family, who said they were “overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude” as he crossed into Israeli territory.

Of the 369 Palestinians who were being released from Israeli prisons, 36 were serving life sentences, according to the Hamas-linked Prisoners’ Information Office.

Among the most prominent is Ahmed Barghouti, 48, a close aide of militant leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-marwan-barghouti-ceasefire-deal-fb3152db0cc4d37683a2019017e34bc1">and iconic Palestinian political figure</a>&nbsp;Marwan Barghouti.

Israel sentenced Ahmed Barghouti to life on charges that he dispatched suicide bombers during the Second Intifada, or Palestinian uprising, in the early 2000s to carry out attacks that killed Israeli civilians. He was arrested alongside Marwan Barghouti in 2002.

Concerns are high about the remaining hostages’ condition

Of the 251 people abducted during the Oct. 7 attack, 73 remain in Gaza, around half of whom are believed to be dead. Nearly all the remaining hostages are men, including Israeli soldiers.

Concern has been growing about their condition, particularly after the release of three last Saturday, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-02-08-2025-bf94014ccedeb15b4d235a1df57b563a">emerged looking emaciated</a>&nbsp;and frail.

One of them, 65-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-freed-hostages-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-d2cc2f109b96b210f2613bd98fc2b806">Keith Siegel</a>, said Friday in a video message addressed to Trump that his captors treated him worse as the 15-month war intensified, kicking him, spitting on him and holding him without water or light.

The ceasefire appeared dangerously close to collapse in recent days.

Hamas had said it would delay the release of the hostages after accusing Israel of not adhering to their agreement by not allowing in enough shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment for clearing rubble. Israel said it would resume fighting Saturday unless hostages were freed.

While the immediate crisis may have been averted, the truce faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-draft-terms-hostages-3df21b67620fdc8f62aa1d1e96487880">a much bigger challenge</a>&nbsp;with the deal’s first phase set to conclude in early March. There have not yet been substantive negotiations over the second phase, in which Hamas would release all remaining hostages in return for an end to the war.

At its height, the fighting displaced 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million. Hundreds of thousands have since returned to their homes as the ceasefire took hold, though&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-palestinians-return-home-ceasefire-2495de01d4581b92789171cad34b7dce">many found only rubble</a>, buried human remains and unexploded ordnance.

The war has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

Trump’s proposal to remove some 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and settle them elsewhere in the region&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-trump-gaza-egypt-saudi-2b1af11c18bf7d5d9aedef68aaba4c00">has thrown the truce’s future into further doubt</a>.

The idea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-trump-gaza-netanyahu-169d497ac07760ccb9724bef5982338a">has been welcomed by Israel’s government</a>. But it has been strongly rejected by Palestinians and Arab countries. Human rights groups say it could amount to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaza-plan-palestinians-israel-3f12eb51869da2221afbb22b0bcf47ba">war crime under international law</a>.

Trump has proposed that once the fighting ends, Israel would transfer control of Gaza to the United States, which would then redevelop it as the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies are already calling for a resumption of the war after the first phase with the goal of destroying Hamas and implementing Trump’s plan. The militant group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-militants-rule-93da074c251d0fcaa395503749e2849e">remains in control of the territory</a>&nbsp;after surviving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-aftermath-destruction-4c148d498f3d67a5d6de2107b6a1c966">one of the deadliest and most destructive</a>&nbsp;military campaigns in recent history.

Hamas may be unwilling to release any more hostages if it believes the war will resume. The captives are among the only bargaining chips it has left.

Bwaitel reported from Beitunia, West Bank, and Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Waafa Shurafa from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739619229985.png" alt="Israeli hostages Iair Horn, 46, left, Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, center left, and Alexander Troufanov, 29, right, are escorted by Hamas and islamic Jihad fighters as they are handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)" />
 <figcaption>Israeli hostages Iair Horn, 46, left, Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, center left, and Alexander Troufanov, 29, right, are escorted by Hamas and islamic Jihad fighters as they are handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MOHAMMAD JAHJOUH, MELANIE LIDMAN and JALAL BWAITEL Associated PressKHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas-led militants released three male Israeli hostages Saturday and Israeli forces began releasing hundreds of prisoners in return, in the latest indication that a fragile ceasefire that has paused fighting in the Gaza Strip but had teetered in recent days, is holding.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728311271815.png" alt="Sagui Dekel-Chen, Israeli American, is 35, -photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum." />
 <figcaption>Sagui Dekel-Chen, Israeli American, is 35, -photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum.</figcaption>
 </figure>Militants in the southern Gaza Strip paraded the three hostages — Iair Horn, 46, a dual citizen of Israel and Argentina; American-Israeli Sagui Dekel Chen, 36; and Russian-Israeli Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29 — before a crowd before releasing them.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/3dRqd2yyLI">pic.twitter.com/3dRqd2yyLI</a>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1890746070591812083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739618708028.png" alt="Russian-Israeli Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov and&nbsp; Iair Horn, 46, a dual citizen of Israel and Argentina-photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>Russian-Israeli Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov and&nbsp; Iair Horn, 46, a dual citizen of Israel and Argentina-photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>All had been abducted from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-hostages-0c14750240138853a70e38b0c09ef157">Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community that was hard-hit</a>&nbsp;in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. They appeared pale and worn, but seemed in better physical condition than the three men released last Saturday, who had emerged emaciated from 16 months of captivity.The truce that began nearly four weeks ago had been jeopardized in recent days by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-ceasefire-explainer-war-404137d6c335f3227e0b0d8e94d773bc">tense dispute</a>&nbsp;that threatened to renew the fighting.U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to remove more than 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and settle them elsewhere in the region has cast even more doubt on the future of the ceasefire.But Hamas said Thursday it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-02-13-2025-ceasefire-hostages-34526505868eb797266a0aa17f4208e7">move ahead</a>&nbsp;with the release of more hostages after talks with Egyptian and Qatari officials. The group said the mediators had pledged to “remove all hurdles” to ensure Israel would allow more tents, medical supplies and other essentials into Gaza.As with previous exchanges, the hostage release was heavily choreographed, with the captives made to walk onto a stage and speak into microphones before the crowd. Dozens of masked, armed Hamas fighters lined up near the stage festooned with Palestinian flags and banners of militant factions.In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, a huge cheer went up as the hostages were transferred to the Red Cross. “Iair, Sagui and Sasha are on their way home!” an announcer said.In return for the hostages’ release, Israel began releasing 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 36 serving life sentences over deadly attacks. A bus carrying the first released prisoners arrived in the occupied West Bank town of Beitunia and were greeted by a cheering crowd of relatives and supporters. Some appeared gaunt, and the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said four were immediately taken for medical treatment.It is the sixth swap since the ceasefire took effect on Jan. 19. Before Saturday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-709efbcf93714a562640133d836bb31c">21 hostages</a>&nbsp;and over 730&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinian-prisoners-exchange-gaza-ceasefire-6c00b4d1e54b941e942b1f5a9ccb83d3">Palestinian prisoners</a>&nbsp;were freed during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-ceasefire-war-cb56a3da64e144492decfffc40c589cf">first phase of the truce</a>.<h2>Who are the hostages and prisoners being released?</h2>Horn was abducted along with his brother, Eitan Horn, who had been staying with him at the time. Eitan, 37, remains in captivity and is not on the list of hostages expected to be released in the ceasefire's first stage."Now, we can breathe a little. Our Iair is home after surviving hell in Gaza," his family said in a statement. “Now, we need to bring Eitan back so our family can truly breathe.”Dekel Chen had been working outside when militants stormed the kibbutz. His pregnant wife, Avital Dekel Chen, hid in a safe room with their two daughters. She gave birth to their third daughter two months later. Speaking to Israeli media Saturday, she said she was overwhelmed with happiness to see Sagui back in Israel, where he will meet his youngest daughter, Shachar, for the first time.Troufanov, whose father was killed during the Oct. 7 attack, was taken hostage along with his grandmother, mother and girlfriend. The three women were released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023. Troufanov was informed of his father's death after his release, shortly before being reunited with his family, who said they were “overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude” as he crossed into Israeli territory.Of the 369 Palestinians who were being released from Israeli prisons, 36 were serving life sentences, according to the Hamas-linked Prisoners’ Information Office.Among the most prominent is Ahmed Barghouti, 48, a close aide of militant leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-marwan-barghouti-ceasefire-deal-fb3152db0cc4d37683a2019017e34bc1">and iconic Palestinian political figure</a>&nbsp;Marwan Barghouti.Israel sentenced Ahmed Barghouti to life on charges that he dispatched suicide bombers during the Second Intifada, or Palestinian uprising, in the early 2000s to carry out attacks that killed Israeli civilians. He was arrested alongside Marwan Barghouti in 2002.<h2>Concerns are high about the remaining hostages’ condition</h2>Of the 251 people abducted during the Oct. 7 attack, 73 remain in Gaza, around half of whom are believed to be dead. Nearly all the remaining hostages are men, including Israeli soldiers.Concern has been growing about their condition, particularly after the release of three last Saturday, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-02-08-2025-bf94014ccedeb15b4d235a1df57b563a">emerged looking emaciated</a>&nbsp;and frail.One of them, 65-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-freed-hostages-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-d2cc2f109b96b210f2613bd98fc2b806">Keith Siegel</a>, said Friday in a video message addressed to Trump that his captors treated him worse as the 15-month war intensified, kicking him, spitting on him and holding him without water or light.<h2>The truce remains very fragile</h2>The ceasefire appeared dangerously close to collapse in recent days.Hamas had said it would delay the release of the hostages after accusing Israel of not adhering to their agreement by not allowing in enough shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment for clearing rubble. Israel said it would resume fighting Saturday unless hostages were freed.While the immediate crisis may have been averted, the truce faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-draft-terms-hostages-3df21b67620fdc8f62aa1d1e96487880">a much bigger challenge</a>&nbsp;with the deal’s first phase set to conclude in early March. There have not yet been substantive negotiations over the second phase, in which Hamas would release all remaining hostages in return for an end to the war.At its height, the fighting displaced 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million. Hundreds of thousands have since returned to their homes as the ceasefire took hold, though&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-palestinians-return-home-ceasefire-2495de01d4581b92789171cad34b7dce">many found only rubble</a>, buried human remains and unexploded ordnance.The war has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.<h2>Trump’s plan increases uncertainty</h2>Trump’s proposal to remove some 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and settle them elsewhere in the region&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-trump-gaza-egypt-saudi-2b1af11c18bf7d5d9aedef68aaba4c00">has thrown the truce’s future into further doubt</a>.The idea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-trump-gaza-netanyahu-169d497ac07760ccb9724bef5982338a">has been welcomed by Israel’s government</a>. But it has been strongly rejected by Palestinians and Arab countries. Human rights groups say it could amount to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaza-plan-palestinians-israel-3f12eb51869da2221afbb22b0bcf47ba">war crime under international law</a>.Trump has proposed that once the fighting ends, Israel would transfer control of Gaza to the United States, which would then redevelop it as the “Riviera of the Middle East.”Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies are already calling for a resumption of the war after the first phase with the goal of destroying Hamas and implementing Trump’s plan. The militant group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-militants-rule-93da074c251d0fcaa395503749e2849e">remains in control of the territory</a>&nbsp;after surviving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-aftermath-destruction-4c148d498f3d67a5d6de2107b6a1c966">one of the deadliest and most destructive</a>&nbsp;military campaigns in recent history.Hamas may be unwilling to release any more hostages if it believes the war will resume. The captives are among the only bargaining chips it has left.___Bwaitel reported from Beitunia, West Bank, and Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Waafa Shurafa from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed.

Hamas releases 3 more hostages including American

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

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

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

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

Jimmie Oaks, Domestic battery, arrested 02/14

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

Geary County Booking Photos Feb. 14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lorraine Smith, Failure to appear, arrested 02/12

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

Geary County Booking Photos Feb. 13 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Religious groups suing over immigration arrests in houses of worship

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

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

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

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

Teen in deadly Kansas gunfight moved from hospital to jail

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quinton Jackson, Failure to appear, arrested 02/10

Larry Allen, Failure to appear, arrested 02/10

William Benner, Outside warrant, arrested 02/10

Megan Mangiaracino, Outside warrant, arrested 02/10

Katelyn Davis, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11

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

Brandon Richardson, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11

Megan Mangiaracino, Probation violation, arrested 02/11

Ronnie Hall, Failure to appear, arrested 02/11

Joshue Sichler, Driving while suspended, arrested 02/11

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

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

Geary County Booking Photos Feb. 11-12

By MATTHEW LEE, ERIC TUCKER and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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