By LISA RODRIGUEZ <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-28/as-operation-legend-gains-international-attention-civil-rights-groups-call-on-kansas-city-mayor-to-reject-federal-agents">Kansas News Service</a>

A coalition of civil rights organizations is calling on Kansas City 
Mayor Quinton Lucas to formally reject the presence of federal agents in
 the city after 200 agents arrived last week as part of Operation 
LeGend, an initiative aimed at tackling violent crime.

Legacy 
organizations such as the NAACP, the Urban League and the Southern 
Christian Leadership Conference joined other social justice groups like 
Black Rainbow, One Struggle KC, KC Tenants, the Sunrise Movement and 
Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) in signing an open letter to Lucas,
 saying that by inviting federal agents into Kansas City, Lucas opened 
the door to “undue civilian terror, functional martial law, and the 
obstruction of basic civil liberties.”

Ray Billis, who works with 
Black Rainbow, says the mere presence of federal agents has a negative 
effect on Black communities, which have historically been over-policed.

“We
 feel terrorized in our communities by these law enforcement officials, 
we feel brutalized, we feel bullied. We do not feel safe from law 
enforcement officials being in inside of our communities,” Billis says.

The
 groups are also calling for the mayor to redirect half of the Kansas 
City Police Department’s budget to housing, healthcare and education 
programs.

Billis says as the KCPD budget has grown steadily over the last five years, so has violent crime.

“It
 baffles me that that we continue to invest resources into this broken 
police institution that has no statistical proof that is does actually 
reduce crime rates,” Billis told KCUR. “And we have this other data and 
statistics that say increasing education does reduce crime rates.”

Inconsistent information about Operation LeGend

The
 letter also accuses Lucas of being a hypocrite, by first welcoming the 
federal aid and then signing onto a letter with several other mayors who
 have condemned the federal presence in their cities.

Operation LeGend has been controversial <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-08/kansas-city-to-get-federal-help-with-investigating-spike-in-fatal-shootings" target="_blank">since it was first announced</a> earlier this month.

While some advocates <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-10/protestors-call-for-resignation-of-kansas-city-police-chief-and-reject-federal-crime-intervention" target="_blank">say the city needs all the help it can get</a> to reduce violent crime, others have <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-10/protestors-call-for-resignation-of-kansas-city-police-chief-and-reject-federal-crime-intervention" target="_blank">accused the operation of “militarizing” the community</a>.

Lucas
 has said he welcomed federal assistance to help clear homicides but has
 also expressed grave concerns about the operation. His office did not 
immediately provide a statement regarding the letter, but Lucas has said
 repeatedly he does not support defunding the police.

Lucas told 
KCUR on Monday that he hoped the federal assistance would come in the 
form of data specialists and ballistic experts to help investigators and
 expressed skepticism after the initial arrest was for the illegal 
possession of a firearm — not directly tied to homicides. The U.S. 
Attorney announced Monday that they assisted Kansas City police in the 
arrest of a murder suspect who was charged over the weekend.

“One concern that, of course, I have is that given that this has now 
gotten significant political attention, there will be a goal to put 
points on the board and that the end of this 60-day period have a number
 of arrests and fugitives apprehended,” Lucas said.

The operation has generated international attention, particularly after the White House included Chicago and Albuquerque.

In
 an interview Tuesday with the BBC, Lucas sought to explain the 
difference between Operation LeGend and the civil unrest in Portland 
where protesters and federal agents have engaged in combative encounters
 for weeks during demonstrations. 

“I do understand Operation 
Legend and the operations in the Pacific Northwest are different things 
but they have the same somewhat Trojan horse type concern,” Lucas said. 
“How do we know that we can trust this administration long-term?”

Lucas has also faced questioning over when he first learned about the influx of federal agents.

While
 Lucas initially said he learned of the operation on Twitter the day it 
was announced by the White House, a Kansas City Star report revealed a 
letter was sent to the Justice Department from his office supporting the
 concept of federal assistance the day before.

Lucas <a href="https://www.kcur.org/podcast/up-to-date/2020-07-27/kansas-city-mayor-admits-his-office-learned-about-federal-operation-prior-to-national-announcement" target="_blank">explained to KCUR Monday</a>
 that staffers in his office knew about the federal government’s plan to
 send agents to Kansas City to help deal with a surge of violent crime, 
but neither they — nor he — knew the scope of the operation.

Attorney General Barr fuels confusion

Further
 adding to the confusion over the role of federal agents in Kansas City,
 U.S. Attorney General William Barr last week stated there had been more
 than 200 arrests under Operation LeGend.

But, under questioning 
today from House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New 
York, Barr admitted he “misspoke.” Nadler said perhaps Barr was confused
 and referring to a similar effort launched last year called Operation 
Relentless Pursuit.

“Operation LeGend appears to be little more 
than a repackaging of existing operations in these cities. So why all 
the drama,” Nadler said. “Why join the president, the White House, to 
announce a bold new operation that appears to be neither bold, nor new?”

Nadler
 pressed on, saying many Americans are suspicious of Barr’s motives, and
 he wondered aloud whether the federal surge of law enforcement was “to 
help with the President’s reelection efforts.”

“The President has 
made clear that he wants conflict between protesters and police to be a 
central claim, a central theme of this campaign,” Nadler said.

Barr
 defended his agency’s actions, saying Operation Relentless Pursuit was 
stopped by the pandemic, but  serious violent crime continued in these 
cities and mayors requested help.

“We saw violent crime continuing
 to rise and a lot of that was triggered after the death of George 
Floyd,” Barr said. “So we did reboot the program after COVID started 
breaking and we could commit the law enforcement resources to actually 
accomplish the mission, which is to reduce violent crime.”

In addition to being KCUR's afternoon newscaster, Lisa Rodriguez covers city hall and other news around Kansas City. Follow her on Twitter @larodrig.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596036525777.png" alt="Several speakers and protesters called out Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas during the press conference held on the steps of the Kansas City Police Headquarters in July. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Several speakers and protesters called out Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas during the press conference held on the steps of the Kansas City Police Headquarters in July. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By LISA RODRIGUEZ <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-28/as-operation-legend-gains-international-attention-civil-rights-groups-call-on-kansas-city-mayor-to-reject-federal-agents">Kansas News Service</a>A coalition of civil rights organizations is calling on Kansas City 
Mayor Quinton Lucas to formally reject the presence of federal agents in
 the city after 200 agents arrived last week as part of Operation 
LeGend, an initiative aimed at tackling violent crime.Legacy 
organizations such as the NAACP, the Urban League and the Southern 
Christian Leadership Conference joined other social justice groups like 
Black Rainbow, One Struggle KC, KC Tenants, the Sunrise Movement and 
Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) in signing an open letter to Lucas,
 saying that by inviting federal agents into Kansas City, Lucas opened 
the door to “undue civilian terror, functional martial law, and the 
obstruction of basic civil liberties.”Ray Billis, who works with 
Black Rainbow, says the mere presence of federal agents has a negative 
effect on Black communities, which have historically been over-policed.“We
 feel terrorized in our communities by these law enforcement officials, 
we feel brutalized, we feel bullied. We do not feel safe from law 
enforcement officials being in inside of our communities,” Billis says.The
 groups are also calling for the mayor to redirect half of the Kansas 
City Police Department’s budget to housing, healthcare and education 
programs.Billis says as the KCPD budget has grown steadily over the last five years, so has violent crime.“It
 baffles me that that we continue to invest resources into this broken 
police institution that has no statistical proof that is does actually 
reduce crime rates,” Billis told KCUR. “And we have this other data and 
statistics that say increasing education does reduce crime rates.”Inconsistent information about Operation LeGendThe
 letter also accuses Lucas of being a hypocrite, by first welcoming the 
federal aid and then signing onto a letter with several other mayors who
 have condemned the federal presence in their cities.Operation LeGend has been controversial <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-08/kansas-city-to-get-federal-help-with-investigating-spike-in-fatal-shootings" target="_blank">since it was first announced</a> earlier this month.While some advocates <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-10/protestors-call-for-resignation-of-kansas-city-police-chief-and-reject-federal-crime-intervention" target="_blank">say the city needs all the help it can get</a> to reduce violent crime, others have <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-10/protestors-call-for-resignation-of-kansas-city-police-chief-and-reject-federal-crime-intervention" target="_blank">accused the operation of “militarizing” the community</a>.Lucas
 has said he welcomed federal assistance to help clear homicides but has
 also expressed grave concerns about the operation. His office did not 
immediately provide a statement regarding the letter, but Lucas has said
 repeatedly he does not support defunding the police.Lucas told 
KCUR on Monday that he hoped the federal assistance would come in the 
form of data specialists and ballistic experts to help investigators and
 expressed skepticism after the initial arrest was for the illegal 
possession of a firearm — not directly tied to homicides. The U.S. 
Attorney announced Monday that they assisted Kansas City police in the 
arrest of a murder suspect who was charged over the weekend.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596036591400.png" alt="Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas stood with local faith leaders as he announced a push to return local control of the Kansas City Police Department. Lisa Rodriguez photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas stood with local faith leaders as he announced a push to return local control of the Kansas City Police Department. Lisa Rodriguez photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“One concern that, of course, I have is that given that this has now 
gotten significant political attention, there will be a goal to put 
points on the board and that the end of this 60-day period have a number
 of arrests and fugitives apprehended,” Lucas said.The operation has generated international attention, particularly after the White House included Chicago and Albuquerque.In
 an interview Tuesday with the BBC, Lucas sought to explain the 
difference between Operation LeGend and the civil unrest in Portland 
where protesters and federal agents have engaged in combative encounters
 for weeks during demonstrations. “I do understand Operation 
Legend and the operations in the Pacific Northwest are different things 
but they have the same somewhat Trojan horse type concern,” Lucas said. 
“How do we know that we can trust this administration long-term?”Lucas has also faced questioning over when he first learned about the influx of federal agents.While
 Lucas initially said he learned of the operation on Twitter the day it 
was announced by the White House, a Kansas City Star report revealed a 
letter was sent to the Justice Department from his office supporting the
 concept of federal assistance the day before.Lucas <a href="https://www.kcur.org/podcast/up-to-date/2020-07-27/kansas-city-mayor-admits-his-office-learned-about-federal-operation-prior-to-national-announcement" target="_blank">explained to KCUR Monday</a>
 that staffers in his office knew about the federal government’s plan to
 send agents to Kansas City to help deal with a surge of violent crime, 
but neither they — nor he — knew the scope of the operation.Attorney General Barr fuels confusionFurther
 adding to the confusion over the role of federal agents in Kansas City,
 U.S. Attorney General William Barr last week stated there had been more
 than 200 arrests under Operation LeGend.But, under questioning 
today from House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New 
York, Barr admitted he “misspoke.” Nadler said perhaps Barr was confused
 and referring to a similar effort launched last year called Operation 
Relentless Pursuit.“Operation LeGend appears to be little more 
than a repackaging of existing operations in these cities. So why all 
the drama,” Nadler said. “Why join the president, the White House, to 
announce a bold new operation that appears to be neither bold, nor new?”Nadler
 pressed on, saying many Americans are suspicious of Barr’s motives, and
 he wondered aloud whether the federal surge of law enforcement was “to 
help with the President’s reelection efforts.”“The President has 
made clear that he wants conflict between protesters and police to be a 
central claim, a central theme of this campaign,” Nadler said.Barr
 defended his agency’s actions, saying Operation Relentless Pursuit was 
stopped by the pandemic, but serious violent crime continued in these 
cities and mayors requested help.“We saw violent crime continuing
 to rise and a lot of that was triggered after the death of George 
Floyd,” Barr said. “So we did reboot the program after COVID started 
breaking and we could commit the law enforcement resources to actually 
accomplish the mission, which is to reduce violent crime.”In addition to being KCUR's afternoon newscaster, Lisa Rodriguez covers city hall and other news around Kansas City. Follow her on Twitter @larodrig.&nbsp;

Civil rights groups call on Kansas City mayor to reject federal agents

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend shooting at a business in Wichita have arrested Lamontae Lucas, 18, of Wichita,&nbsp;according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

Investigators determined that just after 9p.m. Sunday, Lucas entered the Auto Zone store in the in the 900 Block of South Oliver in Wichita in an attempt to commit robbery, according to Stephens.

While in the store, Lucas shot and killed employee 40-year-old Nicholas Blue and then fled on foot.

Through community response to the security camera image of the suspect entering the store and diligent police work officers were able make the arrest.

Just before 10:30p.m. Tuesday, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20067128">police booked&nbsp; Lucas</a>&nbsp;a on a requested charge of First-Degree Murder, according Stephens.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Police have not released details on whether Lucas was involved in three other armed robberies in area on Sunday night.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting at a business in Wichita continue their search for a suspect and have asked&nbsp; the public for help to identify the person captured on security cameras.

Just after 9p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the Auto Zone in the in the 900 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Captain Jason Stephens.

Upon arrival, police discovered store employee 40-year-old Nicholas Blue dead of a gunshot&nbsp; wound.

The investigation revealed an unknown suspect entered the business, pulled out a handgun and shot Blue. There were two other employees in the business at the time, in other parts of the store, and no customers.

The store was open for business at the time of the shooting, according to Stephens.

Police have not determined a motive for the shooting and on Monday afternoon released a security camera image of the alleged suspect.

If you know the identity of this suspect or saw anyone wearing the pictured clothing, please call 911, WPD detectives at 316-268-4407, or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 immediately. This

The individual should be considered armed and dangerous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596032625997.png" alt="Lucas photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Lucas photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend shooting at a business in Wichita have arrested Lamontae Lucas, 18, of Wichita,&nbsp;according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.Investigators determined that just after 9p.m. Sunday, Lucas entered the Auto Zone store in the in the 900 Block of South Oliver in Wichita in an attempt to commit robbery, according to Stephens.While in the store, Lucas shot and killed employee 40-year-old Nicholas Blue and then fled on foot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595873499101.png" alt="Security camera image courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Through community response to the security camera image of the suspect entering the store and diligent police work officers were able make the arrest.Just before 10:30p.m. Tuesday, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20067128">police booked&nbsp; Lucas</a>&nbsp;a on a requested charge of First-Degree Murder, according Stephens.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Police have not released details on whether Lucas was involved in three other armed robberies in area on Sunday night.&nbsp;&nbsp;---------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting at a business in Wichita continue their search for a suspect and have asked&nbsp; the public for help to identify the person captured on security cameras.Just after 9p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the Auto Zone in the in the 900 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Captain Jason Stephens.Upon arrival, police discovered store employee 40-year-old Nicholas Blue dead of a gunshot&nbsp; wound.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595856779122.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation late Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation late Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation revealed an unknown suspect entered the business, pulled out a handgun and shot Blue. There were two other employees in the business at the time, in other parts of the store, and no customers.The store was open for business at the time of the shooting, according to Stephens.Police have not determined a motive for the shooting and on Monday afternoon released a security camera image of the alleged suspect.If you know the identity of this suspect or saw anyone wearing the pictured clothing, please call 911, WPD detectives at 316-268-4407, or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 immediately. ThisThe individual should be considered armed and dangerous.---------

Police: Community tips led to arrest in Kan. auto parts store murder

ELWOOD, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri woman is suing a northeastern Kansas city and one of its former police officers who pleaded guilty to sexual battery for groping her during an arrest two years ago.

The woman is suing the city of Elwood and former Officer Aaron Newberry for an undisclosed amount. The lawsuit accuses them of negligent infliction of emotional distress.

The Associated Press generally doesn’t name victims of sexual assault.

The lawsuit says the woman was at a party in Elwood in July 2018 when Newberry arrested her for having a small amount of marijuana. Newberry handcuffed and placed her in the front seat of his patrol car.

On the way to the Doniphan County Jail, Newberry called the woman a “beautiful girl” and later asked if her breasts were real, the lawsuit says. When she didn’t answer, he reached under her shirt and groped her as she pleaded with him to stop, according to the lawsuit.

The woman immediately reported the assault, and Newberry was later fired and charged with two counts. He pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual battery and is now a registered sex offender.

An attorney for the city of Elwood, Joel Euler, did not immediately return a message left Tuesday by The Associated Press seeking comment. A phone number for Newberry could not be found Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595960322677.png" alt="Newberry photo Doniphan Co." />
 <figcaption>Newberry photo Doniphan Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ELWOOD, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri woman is suing a northeastern Kansas city and one of its former police officers who pleaded guilty to sexual battery for groping her during an arrest two years ago.The woman is suing the city of Elwood and former Officer Aaron Newberry for an undisclosed amount. The lawsuit accuses them of negligent infliction of emotional distress.The Associated Press generally doesn’t name victims of sexual assault.The lawsuit says the woman was at a party in Elwood in July 2018 when Newberry arrested her for having a small amount of marijuana. Newberry handcuffed and placed her in the front seat of his patrol car.On the way to the Doniphan County Jail, Newberry called the woman a “beautiful girl” and later asked if her breasts were real, the lawsuit says. When she didn’t answer, he reached under her shirt and groped her as she pleaded with him to stop, according to the lawsuit.The woman immediately reported the assault, and Newberry was later fired and charged with two counts. He pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual battery and is now a registered sex offender.An attorney for the city of Elwood, Joel Euler, did not immediately return a message left Tuesday by The Associated Press seeking comment. A phone number for Newberry could not be found Tuesday.

Woman sues city, ex-Kansas cop who groped her

KANSAS CITY (AP) — FBI agents in Kansas City as part of new controversial federal crime fighting effort assisted police in the arrest of a homicide suspect.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Missouri praised the apprehension of 44-year-old Joel Roseberry as “good work" in a&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/da77f87aed8a6d461abf4f9380c0d44e/FBI%20agents%20in%20Kansas%20City%20as%20part%20of%20new%20federal%20crime%20fighting%20effort%20assisted%20police%20in%20the%20arrest%20of%20a%20homicide%20suspect.%20The%20U.S.%20Attorney%E2%80%99s%20Office%20in%20the%20Western%20District%20of%20Missouri%20praised%20the%20apprehension%20of%2044-year-old%20Joel%20Roseberry%20as%20%E2%80%9Cgood%20work%22%20in%20a%20tweet%20Monday.%20He%20is%20jailed%20on%20$200,000%20bond%20on%20charges%20of%20second-degree%20murder,%20armed%20criminal%20action%20and%20evidence%20tampering%20in%20the%20March%201%20fatal%20shooting%20of%2028-year-old%20Frederick%20Outley%20outside%20of%20a%20convenience%20store.%20No%20attorney%20is%20listed%20for%20him%20in%20online%20court%20records.">tweet</a>&nbsp;Monday. He is jailed on $200,000 bond on charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and evidence tampering in the March 1 fatal shooting of 28-year-old Frederick Outley outside of a convenience store. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.

It is the first known murder charge connected to Operation LeGend, which is named after a 4-year-old boy named LeGend Taliferro, who was fatally shot while sleeping in his bed in Kansas City

Last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the operation’s first arrest was a man charged with being an unlawful drug user in possession of firearms, which prompted some community leaders to question its efficacy.

Don Ledford, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City, said Monday his office considers Roseberry’s arrest as part of Operation LeGend because federal agents assisted in his apprehension.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595932884061.png" alt="Roseberry-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Roseberry-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — FBI agents in Kansas City as part of new controversial federal crime fighting effort assisted police in the arrest of a homicide suspect.The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Missouri praised the apprehension of 44-year-old Joel Roseberry as “good work" in a&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/da77f87aed8a6d461abf4f9380c0d44e/FBI%20agents%20in%20Kansas%20City%20as%20part%20of%20new%20federal%20crime%20fighting%20effort%20assisted%20police%20in%20the%20arrest%20of%20a%20homicide%20suspect.%20The%20U.S.%20Attorney%E2%80%99s%20Office%20in%20the%20Western%20District%20of%20Missouri%20praised%20the%20apprehension%20of%2044-year-old%20Joel%20Roseberry%20as%20%E2%80%9Cgood%20work%22%20in%20a%20tweet%20Monday.%20He%20is%20jailed%20on%20$200,000%20bond%20on%20charges%20of%20second-degree%20murder,%20armed%20criminal%20action%20and%20evidence%20tampering%20in%20the%20March%201%20fatal%20shooting%20of%2028-year-old%20Frederick%20Outley%20outside%20of%20a%20convenience%20store.%20No%20attorney%20is%20listed%20for%20him%20in%20online%20court%20records.">tweet</a>&nbsp;Monday. He is jailed on $200,000 bond on charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and evidence tampering in the March 1 fatal shooting of 28-year-old Frederick Outley outside of a convenience store. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.It is the first known murder charge connected to Operation LeGend, which is named after a 4-year-old boy named LeGend Taliferro, who was fatally shot while sleeping in his bed in Kansas CityLast week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the operation’s first arrest was a man charged with being an unlawful drug user in possession of firearms, which prompted some community leaders to question its efficacy.Don Ledford, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City, said Monday his office considers Roseberry’s arrest as part of Operation LeGend because federal agents assisted in his apprehension.

Murder suspect arrested in Kansas City through new federal crime sweep 

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Just after 5:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Pontiac Grand Prix in the 2700 block of SW Topeka Boulevard in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, a K9 unit was deployed and narcotics were located inside the vehicle. 

Deputies arrested Derek S. Frakes, 34,&nbsp; and Drew M. Reeves, 31, both of Hiawatha and booked them into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Frakes is being held on requested charged of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, no vehicle liability insurance, operating a vehicle without registration and failure to wear a seat belt. Reeves is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Christian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598558485015.png" alt="Frakes has 2 previous drug convictions in Atchison County, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Frakes has 2 previous drug convictions in Atchison County, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop.Just after 5:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Pontiac Grand Prix in the 2700 block of SW Topeka Boulevard in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, a K9 unit was deployed and narcotics were located inside the vehicle. Deputies arrested Derek S. Frakes, 34,&nbsp; and Drew M. Reeves, 31, both of Hiawatha and booked them into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598558522155.png" alt="Reeves" />
 <figcaption>Reeves</figcaption>
 </figure>Frakes is being held on requested charged of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, no vehicle liability insurance, operating a vehicle without registration and failure to wear a seat belt. Reeves is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Christian.

Sheriff's K9 helps send Kansas felon back to jail

FORD COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities in SW Kansas captured a suspect wanted for murder in Tennessee.

On July 24,&nbsp;&nbsp;deputies with the Ford County Sheriff’s Office were alerted of a possible murder suspect out of Tennessee in Spearville, Kansas, according to Sheriff Bill Carr.

 Deputies made contact with the suspect later identified as 25-year-old Eric L. Caffey and took him into custody.

He is wanted in connection with a fatal shooting of 42-year-old Christopher Young in Clarksville, Tennessee, according to Clarksville Police.

Just after 12:30a.m. May 13, officers found Young at a home and he had been shot multiple times. 

He was taken to Tennova Medical Center where he died. On June 8,&nbsp; police in Tennessee arrested Amber Lynn Tanner, 24, of Hanceville, Alabama, in connection with the shooting death.

Caffey remains in the Ford County Detention Center pending extradition to Tennessee, according to Carr.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595874822792.png" alt="Caffey photo Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Caffey photo Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities in SW Kansas captured a suspect wanted for murder in Tennessee.On July 24,&nbsp;&nbsp;deputies with the Ford County Sheriff’s Office were alerted of a possible murder suspect out of Tennessee in Spearville, Kansas, according to Sheriff Bill Carr. Deputies made contact with the suspect later identified as 25-year-old Eric L. Caffey and took him into custody.He is wanted in connection with a fatal shooting of 42-year-old Christopher Young in Clarksville, Tennessee, according to Clarksville Police.Just after 12:30a.m. May 13, officers found Young at a home and he had been shot multiple times. He was taken to Tennova Medical Center where he died. On June 8,&nbsp; police in Tennessee arrested Amber Lynn Tanner, 24, of Hanceville, Alabama, in connection with the shooting death.Caffey remains in the Ford County Detention Center pending extradition to Tennessee, according to Carr.

Deputies in SW Kan. capture Tennessee murder suspect

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — At least 100 people gathered in the Kansas City, Missouri, neighborhood of Westport this weekend to call for police accountability.

The protesters chanted Saturday night the names of men killed by Kansas City police, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article244496057.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Organizer Oluwatoyin Keji Akinmoladun said they there to tell the stories of those killed by Kansas City police: Ryan Stokes, Donnie Sanders, Terrance Bridges and Cameron Lamb.

Another speaker questioned why officers needed to wear riot gear for a group of 30 protesters who came out Friday night in neighboring Overland Park, Kansas.

Four people were arrested in the Overland Park protest. One was charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer, but protesters said he was wrongly arrested.

Renald Donahue said he worried the protest movement would fade away after the first week.

“I’m glad it didn’t die out,” he said.

Several mothers in yellow shirts with the Wall of Moms group in Kansas City also showed up for the demonstration. The group got its start this week following protests in Portland.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595861626648.png" alt="Protesters Saturday night in Westport -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Protesters Saturday night in Westport -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — At least 100 people gathered in the Kansas City, Missouri, neighborhood of Westport this weekend to call for police accountability.The protesters chanted Saturday night the names of men killed by Kansas City police, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article244496057.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.Organizer Oluwatoyin Keji Akinmoladun said they there to tell the stories of those killed by Kansas City police: Ryan Stokes, Donnie Sanders, Terrance Bridges and Cameron Lamb.Another speaker questioned why officers needed to wear riot gear for a group of 30 protesters who came out Friday night in neighboring Overland Park, Kansas.Four people were arrested in the Overland Park protest. One was charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer, but protesters said he was wrongly arrested.Renald Donahue said he worried the protest movement would fade away after the first week.“I’m glad it didn’t die out,” he said.Several mothers in yellow shirts with the Wall of Moms group in Kansas City also showed up for the demonstration. The group got its start this week following protests in Portland.

Kansas City protesters remember local men killed by police

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital with serious injuries and have made an arrest.

Just after 2:30 a.m. July 22, police responded to the 5100 block of E. Harry for a shooting call, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers located a 32-year-old man who had a gunshot wound to his face. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remains with a serious but non-life-threatening injury.

The investigation revealed that the 32-year-old victim was in the area, and a disturbance ensued between him and a suspect identified as 30-year-old Terrell J. Parker. 

Parker fired a gun during the disturbance, striking the 32-year-old.

Police reported over the weekend they arrested Parker and booked him&nbsp; into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of attempted first-degree murder. He is being held on a $250,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Parker has been arrested and convicted on additional charges that include aggravated battery and possession of drugs, according to officer Paul Cruz.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office this week.

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital with serious injuries.&nbsp;

Just after 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 5100 Block of E. Harry in Wichita for a shooting call, according to officer Charley Davidson.

The investigation revealed that the victim was in the area, and a disturbance ensued between him and a known male suspect. 

The suspect fired a gun during the disturbance, striking the victim in the face. The suspect left the area in a vehicle and has not been located.

This was not a random incident, and investigators are working to locate the suspect, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595775677152.png" alt="Parker photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Parker photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital with serious injuries and have made an arrest.Just after 2:30 a.m. July 22, police responded to the 5100 block of E. Harry for a shooting call, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers located a 32-year-old man who had a gunshot wound to his face. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remains with a serious but non-life-threatening injury.The investigation revealed that the 32-year-old victim was in the area, and a disturbance ensued between him and a suspect identified as 30-year-old Terrell J. Parker. Parker fired a gun during the disturbance, striking the 32-year-old.Police reported over the weekend they arrested Parker and booked him&nbsp; into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of attempted first-degree murder. He is being held on a $250,000 bond, according to online jail records.Parker has been arrested and convicted on additional charges that include aggravated battery and possession of drugs, according to officer Paul Cruz.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office this week.--------SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital with serious injuries.&nbsp;Just after 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 5100 Block of E. Harry in Wichita for a shooting call, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers located a 32-year-old man who had a gunshot wound to his face. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remains with a serious but non-life-threatening injury.The investigation revealed that the victim was in the area, and a disturbance ensued between him and a known male suspect. The suspect fired a gun during the disturbance, striking the victim in the face. The suspect left the area in a vehicle and has not been located.This was not a random incident, and investigators are working to locate the suspect, according to Davidson.

Police: Kansas man accused of shooting victim in the face

ST. LOUIS (AP) — One police officer was shot and wounded, while two others were injured Sunday when a man fired at them and later rammed into one of their vehicles, authorities said.

Peter Webb, 23, was arrested Sunday and charged with three counts of first-degree assault, armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of resisting, news outlets reported.

St. Louis Metropolitan police said the three officers were at a gas station around 1 a.m. dispersing loiterers when Webb drove past them and fired at the police cruisers.

St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden said the officers thought the shots were fireworks and didn't notice they were being shot at until a back passenger window shattered.

Police said the officers pursued Webb, while he continued to shoot at them. Hayden said the chase ended when Webb pulled a U-turn and rammed into one of the police vehicles before crashing into a traffic light.

Webb fled on foot but was later captured by two officers. One of the officers was shot in the elbow and the other injured his knee during the arrest. Both officers were hospitalized and later released.

The officer in the crash had head injuries but didn't seek treatment.

Police said a sawed-off shotgun was found in Webb's car. Hayden said the attack seems random.

It's unclear whether Webb had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595845575209.png" alt="Webb photo St. Louis Police" />
 <figcaption>Webb photo St. Louis Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS (AP) — One police officer was shot and wounded, while two others were injured Sunday when a man fired at them and later rammed into one of their vehicles, authorities said.Peter Webb, 23, was arrested Sunday and charged with three counts of first-degree assault, armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of resisting, news outlets reported.St. Louis Metropolitan police said the three officers were at a gas station around 1 a.m. dispersing loiterers when Webb drove past them and fired at the police cruisers.St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden said the officers thought the shots were fireworks and didn't notice they were being shot at until a back passenger window shattered.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595845754875.png" alt="Photo St. Louis Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo St. Louis Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Police said the officers pursued Webb, while he continued to shoot at them. Hayden said the chase ended when Webb pulled a U-turn and rammed into one of the police vehicles before crashing into a traffic light.Webb fled on foot but was later captured by two officers. One of the officers was shot in the elbow and the other injured his knee during the arrest. Both officers were hospitalized and later released.The officer in the crash had head injuries but didn't seek treatment.Police said a sawed-off shotgun was found in Webb's car. Hayden said the attack seems random.It's unclear whether Webb had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Police officer shot, 2 injured during suspected random attack

OVERLAND PARK, Kan (AP) — A Shawnee man who was arrested during a protest in Overland Park against racism and police violence was charged Saturday with battery of a law enforcement officer.

Darrien Richmond, 26, was one of four people arrested Friday night during the protest, which involved about 30 people. He was released from jail on $2,500 bond. County court records do not name an attorney for Richmond.

Overland Park spokesman Sean Reilly said Richmond caused cuts and bruises to an officer’s hands but did not have details of the confrontation.

Other protesters, including Richmond’s wife, Marisa Richmond, said Richmond was arrested as he ran to help his wife as she was being arrested. They say he did not attack the officer.

The other three people arrested, including Richmond’s wife, were charged in municipal court and released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595726770912.png" alt="Richmond photo Johnson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Richmond photo Johnson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, Kan (AP) — A Shawnee man who was arrested during a protest in Overland Park against racism and police violence was charged Saturday with battery of a law enforcement officer.Darrien Richmond, 26, was one of four people arrested Friday night during the protest, which involved about 30 people. He was released from jail on $2,500 bond. County court records do not name an attorney for Richmond.Overland Park spokesman Sean Reilly said Richmond caused cuts and bruises to an officer’s hands but did not have details of the confrontation.Other protesters, including Richmond’s wife, Marisa Richmond, said Richmond was arrested as he ran to help his wife as she was being arrested. They say he did not attack the officer.The other three people arrested, including Richmond’s wife, were charged in municipal court and released.

1 man charged after racial justice protest in Kansas 

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted this week on a federal robbery charge, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Raymond Paul Stilley, 31, Topeka who is in custody, was charged with one count of robbery. 

The indictment alleges that on July 12, 2020, Stilley threatened two victims in Lawrence, Kan., with violence to force them to provide PIN numbers to debit and credit cards he had taken from them. 

He was going to use the cards to withdraw cash at ATM machines in Topeka and Lawrence.

Topeka police reported arresting Stilley after a standoff in which he refused to get out of his car.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595705666428.png" alt="Stilley photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Stilley photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted this week on a federal robbery charge, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.Raymond Paul Stilley, 31, Topeka who is in custody, was charged with one count of robbery. The indictment alleges that on July 12, 2020, Stilley threatened two victims in Lawrence, Kan., with violence to force them to provide PIN numbers to debit and credit cards he had taken from them. He was going to use the cards to withdraw cash at ATM machines in Topeka and Lawrence.Topeka police reported arresting Stilley after a standoff in which he refused to get out of his car.If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.&nbsp;

Indictment: Kan. man threatened victims  after stealing their ATM cards

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a>, Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Nancy Jensen struggled for nearly two decades to convince state and local government officials and church leaders that a Newton couple operating residential facilities for mentally disabled adults engaged in bizarre physical and sexual abuse under the guise of therapy.

She eventually fled the group homes and experienced the restorative power of a U.S. District Court jury rendering guilty verdicts and of a federal judge dropping the hammer on the husband and wife team of Arlan and Linda Kaufman. They were sentenced in 2006 to lengthy terms in prison from a long-overdue investigation exposing involuntary servitude, health care fraud, forced labor and mail fraud.

When former registered nurse Linda Kaufman sought early release from a 15-year term due to illness, Jensen endorsed that act of compassion. Jensen declined to do the same for Arlan Kaufman, a former social worker who led the Kaufman House business and was ordered to serve 30 years in prison and pay $534,000 in restitution. He petitioned the court for release from a Butner, N.C., prison medical center to seek prostate cancer treatment and elude potential infection with COVID-19.

“I want him to die in prison,” Jensen said. “My heart is sick with the idea of his release.”

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Marten issued a five-page ruling that denied Kaufman’s request for a compassionate release. The judge said Kaufman was at an elevated risk of contracting COVID-19 due to his serious medical challenges, but the heinous nature of his crimes didn’t justify cutting his prison sentence in half.

“Reduction of the sentence to time served, under the circumstances of this case, would be a windfall to the defendant, which would fail to promote respect for the law and would undermine just punishment,” Marten’s order said. “Such a windfall would fail to produce a sentence relative to the nature of seriousness of his many underlying crimes.”

He was convicted of conspiracy, forced labor, involuntary servitude, health care fraud, mail fraud, making a false writing and obstructing a federal audit.

Jensen said she was grateful to judge’s decision served the interests of justice.

“This denial of release says our lives mattered, what happen to us mattered. He has to pay the consequences of what he did to us,” she said.

Former Kaufman House resident Lynn Kohr submitted a letter to the court expressing concern that anyone would seriously contemplate the premature release of Kaufman. She said he shouldn’t be viewed as a victim or allowed to live out the remainder of his life in the comforting arms of family.

“I was often locked in a room with no furniture, not even a bed or chair, and had no access to a toilet,” she said. “I was not even allowed the dignity of being able to wear clothes. I was always naked in that room. He entered the darkened room daily for ‘therapy.’ I was forced to be alone in that room the rest of the time with my hopeless and severely depressed thoughts at the very times I needed to be around people and support.”

Kaufman’s attorneys, Zachary Newland, of Rutland, Vermont, and James Pratt, of Wichita, submitted a 31-page brief in June requesting a federal judge reduce the sentence to time served rather than adhere to a scheduled release date in 2031. His appeal was based in part on passage of the First Step Act, a law signed in 2018 by President Donald Trump to remove obstacles from judicial review of sentences to determine whether “extraordinary and compelling” reasons existed to trim incarceration times.

“A reduction in his sentence is consistent with U.S. sentencing policy and he poses no danger to society,” the document said. “This court should conclude that Dr. Kaufman satisfies the requirements for compassionate release. It is inhumane and unnecessarily punitive to keep an 83-year old man with stage four prostate cancer imprisoned.”

The legal brief argued Kaufman was a “first-time offender,” had a 1% chance of surviving five years and was at high risk of being infected with coronavirus due to his compromised health and advanced age. Those arguments were unconvincing to the warden at the Federal Correctional Facility in Texas. The warden denied his plea for release in April, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons transferred him to North Carolina.

Oncologist Clinton Merrill Jr., who produced a report for Kaufman’s attorneys based on examination of his medical records, confirmed the inmate had terminal metastatic prostate cancer. The doctor said Kaufman’s condition would benefit from more aggressive health care, which Kaufman would have access to if he was freed and allowed to live with a son in St. Louis.

“Due to his age and stage of his disease, Mr. Kaufman has at best a 40% predicted one-year survival,” Merrill said. “It is, therefore, more likely than not, that he will survive for less than one year.”

Linda Kaufman was granted early parole in 2016 due to health complications and died in 2019.

Rocky Nichols, executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, said the organization opposed Kaufman’s early release due to the nature of his crimes and his failure to express remorse for years of reprehensible conduct.

“Mr.&nbsp;Kaufman&nbsp;continually minimized his role throughout the trial, sentencing and resentencing phases, but the evidence was overwhelming that he was the architect of the horrific abuse suffered by the victims,” Nichols said.

In 2004, the Disability Rights Center started providing&nbsp;legal representation to mentally ill individuals at&nbsp;Kaufman&nbsp;group homes in Newton who were subjected to abuse. DRC’s special investigative authority under federal law was relied upon to start a chain reaction that contributed to the arrest and filing of dozens of charges against the Kaufmans.

The Kaufmans served as landlord, counselor, nurse and guardian of the severely mentally disabled men and women under their direct care. The residents were at times compelled to do housework, farm chores and endure treatment while nude and under observation by the Kaufmans. Former residents testified Arlan Kaufman forced them to fondle each other, shave each other’s genitals and to masturbate in front of their peers. Witnesses also said both Kaufmans used a stun gun on the genitals of at least one resident.

Involuntary sexual activities among male and female residents were videotaped and added to the pornography collection found by investigators in the Kaufmans’ possession. All the while, the couple billed Medicare for their unorthodox work.

During the criminal case, several Mennonite churches circulated petitions and sent letters to the federal court seeking leniency for the Kaufmans.

Nichols pointed to the words of U.S. District Court Judge Monti Belot, who presided at the Wichita trial of Linda and Arlan Kaufman, to amplify his opposition to early release.

The judge said: “I have never had a case where an inmate even claimed, much less proved, treatment by prison officials remotely similar to that inflicted upon the residents at Kaufman house.The closest parallel which comes to mind is the abuse of prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.”

U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican representing the Wichita area, added his voice to those opposing Kaufman’s prompt release from prison on humanitarian grounds. In a letter to the Texas prison warden, Estes said granting freedom to Kaufman would trigger a special kind of agony for his victims.

“I plead with you not to inflict further pain upon the mentally ill victims of Arlan Kaufman by setting this evil man free,” the congressman said. “The horrendous nature of Mr. Kaufman’s crimes do not merit a compassionate release.”

After the Kaufmans were arrested, the Kansas Legislature reformed state law to provide greater oversight of group homes for the disabled and to address potential conflicts of interest by operators of those facilities. Credit for that work rests with the Disability Rights Center and with former residents, including Kohr and Jensen. Both women have been nationally recognized for their advocacy.

Jensen said she could still hear Arlan Kaufman’s voice telling her that she would never succeed in life. Affirming his petition for early release would be an insult and renew suffering former residents have worked hard to overcome, she said.

“My heart is sick at the idea of Kaufman’s release,” Jensen said. “Most hurtful is that both he and his family would view his early release as a victory, as vindication and as proof that he did no wrong. We survivors know better. This is not about compassion. If he is released, in his mind, he wins. If he is released, in our experience, we lose.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Jensen-pic.jpg" alt="&nbsp;Nancy Jensen, center, a former resident of a Newton home for mentally ill adults led by Arlan Kaufman, objected to Kaufman's request to be released from federal prison due to poor health after serving 15 years of a 30-year sentence. A federal judge denied the request for compassionate release. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Nancy Jensen, center, a former resident of a Newton home for mentally ill adults led by Arlan Kaufman, objected to Kaufman's request to be released from federal prison due to poor health after serving 15 years of a 30-year sentence. A federal judge denied the request for compassionate release. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a>, Kansas ReflectorTOPEKA — Nancy Jensen struggled for nearly two decades to convince state and local government officials and church leaders that a Newton couple operating residential facilities for mentally disabled adults engaged in bizarre physical and sexual abuse under the guise of therapy.She eventually fled the group homes and experienced the restorative power of a U.S. District Court jury rendering guilty verdicts and of a federal judge dropping the hammer on the husband and wife team of Arlan and Linda Kaufman. They were sentenced in 2006 to lengthy terms in prison from a long-overdue investigation exposing involuntary servitude, health care fraud, forced labor and mail fraud.When former registered nurse Linda Kaufman sought early release from a 15-year term due to illness, Jensen endorsed that act of compassion. Jensen declined to do the same for Arlan Kaufman, a former social worker who led the Kaufman House business and was ordered to serve 30 years in prison and pay $534,000 in restitution. He petitioned the court for release from a Butner, N.C., prison medical center to seek prostate cancer treatment and elude potential infection with COVID-19.“I want him to die in prison,” Jensen said. “My heart is sick with the idea of his release.”On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Marten issued a five-page ruling that denied Kaufman’s request for a compassionate release. The judge said Kaufman was at an elevated risk of contracting COVID-19 due to his serious medical challenges, but the heinous nature of his crimes didn’t justify cutting his prison sentence in half.“Reduction of the sentence to time served, under the circumstances of this case, would be a windfall to the defendant, which would fail to promote respect for the law and would undermine just punishment,” Marten’s order said. “Such a windfall would fail to produce a sentence relative to the nature of seriousness of his many underlying crimes.”He was convicted of conspiracy, forced labor, involuntary servitude, health care fraud, mail fraud, making a false writing and obstructing a federal audit.Jensen said she was grateful to judge’s decision served the interests of justice.“This denial of release says our lives mattered, what happen to us mattered. He has to pay the consequences of what he did to us,” she said.Former Kaufman House resident Lynn Kohr submitted a letter to the court expressing concern that anyone would seriously contemplate the premature release of Kaufman. She said he shouldn’t be viewed as a victim or allowed to live out the remainder of his life in the comforting arms of family.“I was often locked in a room with no furniture, not even a bed or chair, and had no access to a toilet,” she said. “I was not even allowed the dignity of being able to wear clothes. I was always naked in that room. He entered the darkened room daily for ‘therapy.’ I was forced to be alone in that room the rest of the time with my hopeless and severely depressed thoughts at the very times I needed to be around people and support.”<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/KaufmanOrder-1024x576.jpg" alt="&nbsp;A U.S. District Court judge rejected an application by former Newton social worker Arlan Kaufman to be released 15 years early from prison due to poor health and risk of COVID-19. Kaufman was convicted with his wife of forced labor, involuntary servitude and other offenses for abusing mentally ill adults under their care. (Illustration/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;A U.S. District Court judge rejected an application by former Newton social worker Arlan Kaufman to be released 15 years early from prison due to poor health and risk of COVID-19. Kaufman was convicted with his wife of forced labor, involuntary servitude and other offenses for abusing mentally ill adults under their care. (Illustration/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Pleas for freedomKaufman’s attorneys, Zachary Newland, of Rutland, Vermont, and James Pratt, of Wichita, submitted a 31-page brief in June requesting a federal judge reduce the sentence to time served rather than adhere to a scheduled release date in 2031. His appeal was based in part on passage of the First Step Act, a law signed in 2018 by President Donald Trump to remove obstacles from judicial review of sentences to determine whether “extraordinary and compelling” reasons existed to trim incarceration times.“A reduction in his sentence is consistent with U.S. sentencing policy and he poses no danger to society,” the document said. “This court should conclude that Dr. Kaufman satisfies the requirements for compassionate release. It is inhumane and unnecessarily punitive to keep an 83-year old man with stage four prostate cancer imprisoned.”The legal brief argued Kaufman was a “first-time offender,” had a 1% chance of surviving five years and was at high risk of being infected with coronavirus due to his compromised health and advanced age. Those arguments were unconvincing to the warden at the Federal Correctional Facility in Texas. The warden denied his plea for release in April, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons transferred him to North Carolina.Oncologist Clinton Merrill Jr., who produced a report for Kaufman’s attorneys based on examination of his medical records, confirmed the inmate had terminal metastatic prostate cancer. The doctor said Kaufman’s condition would benefit from more aggressive health care, which Kaufman would have access to if he was freed and allowed to live with a son in St. Louis.“Due to his age and stage of his disease, Mr. Kaufman has at best a 40% predicted one-year survival,” Merrill said. “It is, therefore, more likely than not, that he will survive for less than one year.”Linda Kaufman was granted early parole in 2016 due to health complications and died in 2019.Criminally offensiveRocky Nichols, executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, said the organization opposed Kaufman’s early release due to the nature of his crimes and his failure to express remorse for years of reprehensible conduct.“Mr.&nbsp;Kaufman&nbsp;continually minimized his role throughout the trial, sentencing and resentencing phases, but the evidence was overwhelming that he was the architect of the horrific abuse suffered by the victims,” Nichols said.In 2004, the Disability Rights Center started providing&nbsp;legal representation to mentally ill individuals at&nbsp;Kaufman&nbsp;group homes in Newton who were subjected to abuse. DRC’s special investigative authority under federal law was relied upon to start a chain reaction that contributed to the arrest and filing of dozens of charges against the Kaufmans.The Kaufmans served as landlord, counselor, nurse and guardian of the severely mentally disabled men and women under their direct care. The residents were at times compelled to do housework, farm chores and endure treatment while nude and under observation by the Kaufmans. Former residents testified Arlan Kaufman forced them to fondle each other, shave each other’s genitals and to masturbate in front of their peers. Witnesses also said both Kaufmans used a stun gun on the genitals of at least one resident.Involuntary sexual activities among male and female residents were videotaped and added to the pornography collection found by investigators in the Kaufmans’ possession. All the while, the couple billed Medicare for their unorthodox work.During the criminal case, several Mennonite churches circulated petitions and sent letters to the federal court seeking leniency for the Kaufmans.Nichols pointed to the words of U.S. District Court Judge Monti Belot, who presided at the Wichita trial of Linda and Arlan Kaufman, to amplify his opposition to early release.The judge said: “I have never had a case where an inmate even claimed, much less proved, treatment by prison officials remotely similar to that inflicted upon the residents at Kaufman house.The closest parallel which comes to mind is the abuse of prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.”‘Survivors know’U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican representing the Wichita area, added his voice to those opposing Kaufman’s prompt release from prison on humanitarian grounds. In a letter to the Texas prison warden, Estes said granting freedom to Kaufman would trigger a special kind of agony for his victims.“I plead with you not to inflict further pain upon the mentally ill victims of Arlan Kaufman by setting this evil man free,” the congressman said. “The horrendous nature of Mr. Kaufman’s crimes do not merit a compassionate release.”After the Kaufmans were arrested, the Kansas Legislature reformed state law to provide greater oversight of group homes for the disabled and to address potential conflicts of interest by operators of those facilities. Credit for that work rests with the Disability Rights Center and with former residents, including Kohr and Jensen. Both women have been nationally recognized for their advocacy.Jensen said she could still hear Arlan Kaufman’s voice telling her that she would never succeed in life. Affirming his petition for early release would be an insult and renew suffering former residents have worked hard to overcome, she said.“My heart is sick at the idea of Kaufman’s release,” Jensen said. “Most hurtful is that both he and his family would view his early release as a victory, as vindication and as proof that he did no wrong. We survivors know better. This is not about compassion. If he is released, in his mind, he wins. If he is released, in our experience, we lose.”

Victims: 15 years in prison not enough for architect of Kaufman House terror

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka therapist at a treatment facility for at-risk girls has been arrested on suspicion of having sexual encounters with a teenage patient. 

Police arrested 51-year-old Julie Herron Wednesday on suspicion of unlawful sexual relations with a patient. 

Investigators say Herron was a therapist at Florence Crittenton Services in Topeka and a contractor for the Kansas Department for Children and Families when she began an inappropriate relationship with a resident there, who was 16 at the time, in 2015. 

Court records say Herron often took the teen off-site against facility rules and told the girl that sex was part of her therapy. The teen, who is now an adult, also says Herron raped her in a hotel room.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595598825960.png" alt="Herron-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Herron-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka therapist at a treatment facility for at-risk girls has been arrested on suspicion of having sexual encounters with a teenage patient. Police arrested 51-year-old Julie Herron Wednesday on suspicion of unlawful sexual relations with a patient. Investigators say Herron was a therapist at Florence Crittenton Services in Topeka and a contractor for the Kansas Department for Children and Families when she began an inappropriate relationship with a resident there, who was 16 at the time, in 2015. Court records say Herron often took the teen off-site against facility rules and told the girl that sex was part of her therapy. The teen, who is now an adult, also says Herron raped her in a hotel room.&nbsp;

Therapist in Kansas accused of sex with teen patient

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man who was arrested after he allegedly shot three victims in an incident this week has been charged in federal court with illegally possessing a firearm during an earlier firearm incident.

“Court documents cite a long history of gun violence and drug trafficking by this defendant who terrorized his neighborhood, allegedly shooting several victims this week,” Garrison said. “This is his second federal charge for illegally possessing firearms. Operation LeGend is successfully taking armed, violent criminals like this off the street to make our neighborhoods safer.”

Leamandreal Dorsey, 40, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in a complaint filed under seal in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. That complaint was unsealed and made public Friday following Dorsey’s arrest and initial court appearance.

The federal criminal complaint charges Dorsey with illegally possessing a firearm following a threat to shoot event that occurred on April 1, 2020. Dorsey is charged with possessing a Glock .40-caliber handgun attached to an extended drum magazine that contained 40 live rounds of ammunition.&nbsp;

On April 1, 2020, Kansas City, police officers responded to a reported weapons disturbance in the 2500 block of East 68th Terrace. One of Dorsey’s neighbors told officers that Dorsey pointed a gun at him and threatened him. Officers contacted Dorsey at Dorsey’s residence, sitting on the roof of a black Mercedes-Benz C300. According to the affidavit, Dorsey jumped into the driver’s seat when officers approached. &nbsp;Dorsey was removed from his vehicle and taken into custody. The owner of the vehicle provided consent for the officers to search the car, and they found a backpack in the passenger’s seat that contained the Glock .40-caliber handgun attached to an extended drum magazine, as well as a spare magazine.

Although this incident occurred on April 1, Dorsey was arrested following a separate shooting incident that occurred this week in which three individuals were wounded by gunfire.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Kansas City, Missouri, police officers were dispatched to the 2500 block of E. 68th Terrace at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, concerning a shooting. Six individuals were on the front porch of a residence, the affidavit says, when an individual later identified as Dorsey started shooting at them. According to the victims, Dorsey walked away, but returned minutes later and began shooting again, then fled on foot. Three of the individuals were struck by gunfire and transported to Research Medical Center. Investigators found 31 spent shell casings at the scene.

Later the same day, investigators received a Crime Stoppers tip that identified Dorsey as the shooter.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Dorsey has a prior felony conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, for which he served three years in federal prison. He also has two prior felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon, two prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, and a prior felony conviction for drug trafficking.&nbsp;

The affidavit also cites four previous instances in which Dorsey pointed firearms at people and threatened them. Among those incidents, the affidavit says, Dorsey shot a man in the hip who was running from Dorsey’s residence following a disagreement.

The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595705940430.png" alt="This Glock .40-caliber handgun attached to an extended drum magazine was seized by law enforcement officers at the time of Dorsey's arrest-photo U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri" />
 <figcaption>This Glock .40-caliber handgun attached to an extended drum magazine was seized by law enforcement officers at the time of Dorsey's arrest-photo U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man who was arrested after he allegedly shot three victims in an incident this week has been charged in federal court with illegally possessing a firearm during an earlier firearm incident.“Court documents cite a long history of gun violence and drug trafficking by this defendant who terrorized his neighborhood, allegedly shooting several victims this week,” Garrison said. “This is his second federal charge for illegally possessing firearms. Operation LeGend is successfully taking armed, violent criminals like this off the street to make our neighborhoods safer.”Leamandreal Dorsey, 40, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in a complaint filed under seal in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. That complaint was unsealed and made public Friday following Dorsey’s arrest and initial court appearance.The federal criminal complaint charges Dorsey with illegally possessing a firearm following a threat to shoot event that occurred on April 1, 2020. Dorsey is charged with possessing a Glock .40-caliber handgun attached to an extended drum magazine that contained 40 live rounds of ammunition.&nbsp;On April 1, 2020, Kansas City, police officers responded to a reported weapons disturbance in the 2500 block of East 68th Terrace. One of Dorsey’s neighbors told officers that Dorsey pointed a gun at him and threatened him. Officers contacted Dorsey at Dorsey’s residence, sitting on the roof of a black Mercedes-Benz C300. According to the affidavit, Dorsey jumped into the driver’s seat when officers approached. &nbsp;Dorsey was removed from his vehicle and taken into custody. The owner of the vehicle provided consent for the officers to search the car, and they found a backpack in the passenger’s seat that contained the Glock .40-caliber handgun attached to an extended drum magazine, as well as a spare magazine.Although this incident occurred on April 1, Dorsey was arrested following a separate shooting incident that occurred this week in which three individuals were wounded by gunfire.According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Kansas City, Missouri, police officers were dispatched to the 2500 block of E. 68th Terrace at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, concerning a shooting. Six individuals were on the front porch of a residence, the affidavit says, when an individual later identified as Dorsey started shooting at them. According to the victims, Dorsey walked away, but returned minutes later and began shooting again, then fled on foot. Three of the individuals were struck by gunfire and transported to Research Medical Center. Investigators found 31 spent shell casings at the scene.Later the same day, investigators received a Crime Stoppers tip that identified Dorsey as the shooter.Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Dorsey has a prior felony conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, for which he served three years in federal prison. He also has two prior felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon, two prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, and a prior felony conviction for drug trafficking.&nbsp;The affidavit also cites four previous instances in which Dorsey pointed firearms at people and threatened them. Among those incidents, the affidavit says, Dorsey shot a man in the hip who was running from Dorsey’s residence following a disagreement.The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

U.S. Attorney: Kansas City man ‘Terrorized His Neighborhood’

A young Michigan man has been arrested in Kansas, accused of trying to steal $100,000 from the Prairie Band Casino and Resort in Mayetta.

Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police arrested 35-year-old John Christopher Colletti of Harper Woods, MI in March.

The Detroit News reports a 17-page criminal complaint against Colletti was unsealed Thursday in federal court in Detroit.

FBI agents claim Colletti used a prosthetic face mask to pose as an elderly gambler wearing a straw hat and glasses while using a walker at the northeast Kansas casino. Colletti, according to federal prosecutors, withdrew $20,000 at a time from casino kiosks.

Federal authorities suspected Colletti of stealing up to ten identities in April and May of last year by buying personal data online to make fake driver’s licenses. Colletti had more than 50 fake ID’s, according to prosecutors.

Federal prosecutors claim Colletti has hit gambling houses before.

Colletti also faces accusations he used a VIP program offering gamblers cash advances at the MGM Grand Detroit where he allegedly defrauded several victims of nearly $100,000. Prosecutors claim he used elaborate disguises to avoid detection by casino security cameras.

Security at Prairie Band Casino became suspicious when Colletti withdrew so much cash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595858047034.png" alt="Colletti photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Colletti photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA young Michigan man has been arrested in Kansas, accused of trying to steal $100,000 from the Prairie Band Casino and Resort in Mayetta.Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police arrested 35-year-old John Christopher Colletti of Harper Woods, MI in March.The Detroit News reports a 17-page criminal complaint against Colletti was unsealed Thursday in federal court in Detroit.FBI agents claim Colletti used a prosthetic face mask to pose as an elderly gambler wearing a straw hat and glasses while using a walker at the northeast Kansas casino. Colletti, according to federal prosecutors, withdrew $20,000 at a time from casino kiosks.Federal authorities suspected Colletti of stealing up to ten identities in April and May of last year by buying personal data online to make fake driver’s licenses. Colletti had more than 50 fake ID’s, according to prosecutors.Federal prosecutors claim Colletti has hit gambling houses before.Colletti also faces accusations he used a VIP program offering gamblers cash advances at the MGM Grand Detroit where he allegedly defrauded several victims of nearly $100,000. Prosecutors claim he used elaborate disguises to avoid detection by casino security cameras.Security at Prairie Band Casino became suspicious when Colletti withdrew so much cash.

Man allegedly used disguises to steal from casino in Kansas

TOPEKA— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and shooting.

Just after 1a.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of an aggravated burglary in the 500 block of NE Wilson in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble. On person had been shot.

Officers arrived on scene and found the shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Police have accounted for all involved, according to Trimble.&nbsp;

Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595681452075.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting early Saturday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting early Saturday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and shooting.Just after 1a.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of an aggravated burglary in the 500 block of NE Wilson in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble. On person had been shot.Officers arrived on scene and found the shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Police have accounted for all involved, according to Trimble.&nbsp;Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Police: Man seriously injured during attempted burglary at Kan. home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A grand jury has indicted two Kansas City police officers on felony charges alleging they used excessive force while arresting a Black transgender woman last year.

Officers Matthew G. Brummett and Charles Prichard are charged with “knowingly causing physical injury” to Breona, or “Briya,” Hill as she was handcuffed, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office said Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589657213001.png" alt="Image from the video of the arrest courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Image from the video of the arrest courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A grand jury has indicted two Kansas City police officers on felony charges alleging they used excessive force while arresting a Black transgender woman last year.Officers Matthew G. Brummett and Charles Prichard are charged with “knowingly causing physical injury” to Breona, or “Briya,” Hill as she was handcuffed, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office said Friday.The officers were indicted on a misdemeanor assault charge in May, based largely on a video of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/db41066b7d28cdca8aad6f3317202cbb">the arrest.</a>Prosecutors said two new witnesses came forward after that indictment, and the grand jury found the officers slammed Hill's face into the sidewalk and kneed her several times while she was handcuffed.Brad Lemon, president of the Kansas City Fraternal Order of Police, said Friday the union stands by the officers. Lemon said he doesn't believe new evidence was found and the new charges were “another example of political prosecution and abuse of power by the Jackson County Prosecutor who is attempting to resurrect a failing career on the backs of the good men and woman of the KCPD.”The man who filmed the arrest, Roderick Reed, was convicted of violating a city ordinance for refusing police orders to stop filming. He was later pardoned by Mayor Quinton Lucas.