JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a woman on drug allegations.

Just before 1:30a.m. April 27, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Toyota Corolla on U.S. Highway 75 near 134th Road for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Police arrested the back seat passenger, Summer Rose Kennedy-Webb, 27, of Olathe. She was booked into jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, distribute opiate, opium, narcotic, certain stimulant and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745845658403.png" alt="Kennedy-Webb -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Kennedy-Webb -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a woman on drug allegations. Just before 1:30a.m. April 27, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Toyota Corolla on U.S. Highway 75 near 134th Road for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Police arrested the back seat passenger, Summer Rose Kennedy-Webb, 27, of Olathe. She was booked into jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, distribute opiate, opium, narcotic, certain stimulant and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Back seat passenger jailed after Kansas traffic stop

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating gunfire in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just before 6 p.m., Monday, police responded to the area of SW Huntoon and Lincoln in Topeka on the report of gunshots being fired in the area, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.

 Officers arrived to the area shortly after being dispatched. They located multiple witnesses and victims and took a subject into custody identified&nbsp; as 23-year-old Rajhgerio Guruda Smith.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault,&nbsp;Criminal Discharge of Firearm at Occupied Vehicle, felon in Possession of Firearm, Felony Criminal Damage and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745952487931.png" alt="Smith photo Shawnee XCounty" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Shawnee XCounty</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating gunfire in Topeka have made an arrest.Just before 6 p.m., Monday, police responded to the area of SW Huntoon and Lincoln in Topeka on the report of gunshots being fired in the area, according to Police Lt. John Trimble. Officers arrived to the area shortly after being dispatched. They located multiple witnesses and victims and took a subject into custody identified&nbsp; as 23-year-old Rajhgerio Guruda Smith.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault,&nbsp;Criminal Discharge of Firearm at Occupied Vehicle, felon in Possession of Firearm, Felony Criminal Damage and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage.

Kansas man accused of shooting at vehicle

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.

William Mitchell, Failure to appear, arrested 04/30

Darnell Manning, Possession of drug paraphernalia; Possession of marijuana; Interference with LEO, Falsely report a crime intending to obstruct; Unlawful shooting in the city, arrested 04/30

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/2025/5/1746115395156.jpeg" alt="Julishia Brewer, Failure to appear, arrested 04/30" />
 <figcaption>Julishia Brewer, Failure to appear, arrested 04/30</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746115415261.jpeg" alt="Janay Banks, Theft - From a motor vehicle; Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 04/30" />
 <figcaption>Janay Banks, Theft - From a motor vehicle; Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 04/30</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746115425533.jpeg" alt="Joanna Anderson, Probation violation, arrested 04/30" />
 <figcaption>Joanna Anderson, Probation violation, arrested 04/30</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746115435357.jpeg" alt="Nickolaus Jackson, Arrested by LEO, Probable cause of warrant in state or other jurisdiction, arrested 04/30" />
 <figcaption>Nickolaus Jackson, Arrested by LEO, Probable cause of warrant in state or other jurisdiction, arrested 04/30</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746115445206.jpeg" alt="Christopher Patcheak, Failure to appear, arrested 04/30" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Patcheak, Failure to appear, arrested 04/30</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.William Mitchell, Failure to appear, arrested 04/30Darnell Manning, Possession of drug paraphernalia; Possession of marijuana; Interference with LEO, Falsely report a crime intending to obstruct; Unlawful shooting in the city, arrested 04/30Recent 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 May 1

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

On Tuesday, police arrested 22-year-old Mason Dusseault of Junction City on a Riley County District Court warrant for indecent liberties with a child and aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the RIley County Police Department activity report.

Dusseault met the requirement of a $50,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.On Tuesday, police arrested 22-year-old Mason Dusseault of Junction City on a Riley County District Court warrant for indecent liberties with a child and aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the RIley County Police Department activity report.Dusseault met the requirement of a $50,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

Junction City man accused of child sex crimes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government has begun shedding new light on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-f1-visa-revoked-college-f12320b435b6bf9cf723f1e8eb8c67ae">crackdown on international students</a>, spelling out how it targeted thousands of people and laying out the grounds for terminating their legal status.

The new details emerged in lawsuits filed by some of the students who suddenly had their status canceled in recent weeks with little explanation.

In the past month, foreign students around the U.S. have been rattled to learn their records had been removed from a student database maintained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-visa-status-restraining-order-64a97b4fabc5264ed20b179952cdabff">went into hiding</a>&nbsp;for fear of deportation or abandoned their studies to return home.

On Friday, after mounting court challenges, federal officials said the government was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-status-restored-9e8a7cb90f4193ec52bf06edc5094cd9">restoring international students’ legal status</a>&nbsp;while it developed a framework to guide future terminations. In a court filing Monday, it shared the new policy: a document issued over the weekend with guidance on a range of reasons students’ status can be canceled, including the revocation of the visas they used to enter the U.S.

Brad Banias, an immigration attorney representing a student whose status was terminated, said the new guidelines vastly expand ICE’s authority beyond previous policy, which did not count visa revocation as grounds for losing legal status. In the past, if a student had their visa revoked, they could stay in the U.S. to finish their studies — they simply would not be able to reenter if they left the country.

“This just gave them carte blanche to have the State Department revoke a visa and then deport those students even if they’ve done nothing wrong,” Banias said.

Many of the students who had visas revoked or lost their legal status said they had only minor infractions on their record, including traffic violations. Some did not know why they were targeted at all.

Lawyers for the government provided some explanation at a hearing Tuesday in the case of Banias’ client Akshar Patel, an international student studying information systems in Texas. Patel’s status was terminated — and then reinstated — this month, and he is seeking a preliminary court ruling to keep him from being deported.

In court filings and in the hearing, Department of Homeland Security officials said they ran the names of student visa holders through the National Crime Information Center, an FBI-run database that contains reams of information related to crimes. It includes the names of suspects, missing persons and people who have been arrested, even if they have never been charged with a crime or had charges dropped.

In total, about 6,400 students were identified in the database search, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said in the hearing Tuesday. One of the students was Patel, who had been pulled over and charged with reckless driving in 2018. The charge was ultimately dropped — information that is also in NCIC.

Patel appears in a spreadsheet with 734 students whose names had come up in NCIC. That spreadsheet was forwarded to a Homeland Security official, who, within 24 hours of receiving it, replied: “Please terminate all in SEVIS.” That’s a different database listing foreigners who have legal status as students in the U.S.

Reyes said the short time frame suggested that no one had reviewed the records individually to find out why the students’ names came up in NCIC.

“All of this could have been avoided if someone had taken a beat,” said Reyes, who was appointed by President Joe Biden. She said the government had demonstrated “an utter lack of concern for individuals who have come into this country.”

When colleges discovered the students no longer had legal status, it prompted chaos and confusion. In the past, college officials say, legal statuses typically were updated after colleges told the government the students were no longer studying at the school.

In some cases this spring, colleges told students to stop working or taking classes immediately and warned them they could be deported.

Still, government attorneys said the change in the database did not mean the students actually lost legal status, even though some of the students were labeled “failure to maintain status.” Instead, lawyers said, it was intended to be an “investigative red flag.”

“Mr. Patel is lawfully present in the U.S.,” Andre Watson of the Department of Homeland Security said. “He is not subject to immediate detention or removal.”

Reyes declined to issue a preliminary injunction and urged lawyers from both sides to come to a settlement to ensure Patel could stay in the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746019461996.png" alt="Student Visa image courtesy SUNY Schenectady" />
 <figcaption>Student Visa image courtesy SUNY Schenectady</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government has begun shedding new light on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-f1-visa-revoked-college-f12320b435b6bf9cf723f1e8eb8c67ae">crackdown on international students</a>, spelling out how it targeted thousands of people and laying out the grounds for terminating their legal status.The new details emerged in lawsuits filed by some of the students who suddenly had their status canceled in recent weeks with little explanation.In the past month, foreign students around the U.S. have been rattled to learn their records had been removed from a student database maintained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-visa-status-restraining-order-64a97b4fabc5264ed20b179952cdabff">went into hiding</a>&nbsp;for fear of deportation or abandoned their studies to return home.On Friday, after mounting court challenges, federal officials said the government was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-status-restored-9e8a7cb90f4193ec52bf06edc5094cd9">restoring international students’ legal status</a>&nbsp;while it developed a framework to guide future terminations. In a court filing Monday, it shared the new policy: a document issued over the weekend with guidance on a range of reasons students’ status can be canceled, including the revocation of the visas they used to enter the U.S.Brad Banias, an immigration attorney representing a student whose status was terminated, said the new guidelines vastly expand ICE’s authority beyond previous policy, which did not count visa revocation as grounds for losing legal status. In the past, if a student had their visa revoked, they could stay in the U.S. to finish their studies — they simply would not be able to reenter if they left the country.“This just gave them carte blanche to have the State Department revoke a visa and then deport those students even if they’ve done nothing wrong,” Banias said.Many of the students who had visas revoked or lost their legal status said they had only minor infractions on their record, including traffic violations. Some did not know why they were targeted at all.Lawyers for the government provided some explanation at a hearing Tuesday in the case of Banias’ client Akshar Patel, an international student studying information systems in Texas. Patel’s status was terminated — and then reinstated — this month, and he is seeking a preliminary court ruling to keep him from being deported.In court filings and in the hearing, Department of Homeland Security officials said they ran the names of student visa holders through the National Crime Information Center, an FBI-run database that contains reams of information related to crimes. It includes the names of suspects, missing persons and people who have been arrested, even if they have never been charged with a crime or had charges dropped.In total, about 6,400 students were identified in the database search, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said in the hearing Tuesday. One of the students was Patel, who had been pulled over and charged with reckless driving in 2018. The charge was ultimately dropped — information that is also in NCIC.Patel appears in a spreadsheet with 734 students whose names had come up in NCIC. That spreadsheet was forwarded to a Homeland Security official, who, within 24 hours of receiving it, replied: “Please terminate all in SEVIS.” That’s a different database listing foreigners who have legal status as students in the U.S.Reyes said the short time frame suggested that no one had reviewed the records individually to find out why the students’ names came up in NCIC.“All of this could have been avoided if someone had taken a beat,” said Reyes, who was appointed by President Joe Biden. She said the government had demonstrated “an utter lack of concern for individuals who have come into this country.”When colleges discovered the students no longer had legal status, it prompted chaos and confusion. In the past, college officials say, legal statuses typically were updated after colleges told the government the students were no longer studying at the school.In some cases this spring, colleges told students to stop working or taking classes immediately and warned them they could be deported.Still, government attorneys said the change in the database did not mean the students actually lost legal status, even though some of the students were labeled “failure to maintain status.” Instead, lawyers said, it was intended to be an “investigative red flag.”“Mr. Patel is lawfully present in the U.S.,” Andre Watson of the Department of Homeland Security said. “He is not subject to immediate detention or removal.”Reyes declined to issue a preliminary injunction and urged lawyers from both sides to come to a settlement to ensure Patel could stay in the U.S.____

US government has new policy for terminating international students’ legal status

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered violent offender for new alleged crimes.

Just before 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 41-year-old Lamarques Channel of Topeka on requested charges of criminal sodomy and rape, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. The arrest stems from the investigation of an incident that occurred on October 25, 2019. Channel is being held on a total bond of $150,000.

Channel has previous convictions for reckless involuntary manslaughter and drug crimes, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

He has been listed as a registered offender since 2015, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746031761825.png" alt="Channel photo KBI Offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Channel photo KBI Offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered violent offender for new alleged crimes.Just before 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 41-year-old Lamarques Channel of Topeka on requested charges of criminal sodomy and rape, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. The arrest stems from the investigation of an incident that occurred on October 25, 2019. Channel is being held on a total bond of $150,000.Channel has previous convictions for reckless involuntary manslaughter and drug crimes, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.He has been listed as a registered offender since 2015, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. registered offender accused of sex crimes

Ricky Smith, Probation violation, arrested 04/29

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/2025/4/1746031604786.jpeg" alt="Dontavia Scott, Failure to appear, arrested 04/29" />
 <figcaption>Dontavia Scott, Failure to appear, arrested 04/29</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Ricky Smith, Probation violation, arrested 04/29Recent 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 April 30

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas woman was indicted by a federal grand jury for interstate transportation of stolen goods.

Amanda Rutherford, 45, was indicted on one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods for traveling across the state line to sell stolen coins, according to the United State's Attorney.

Rutherford traveled to Missouri to sell over $100,000 in gold and silver coins that belonged to an elderly couple who resided in Kansas.&nbsp;

The Dickinson County, Kansas Sheriff’s Office received a report in 2022 that several items, including firearms and collector coins, were stolen from the farm of an elderly couple. 

Rutherford lived on their property and claimed to be a caregiver for the couple. In early 2024, the Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Rutherford had sold gold coins to a jewelry store in Clay County, Missouri and had received several checks totaling $100,000. 

The Sheriff’s Office was able to confirm this information and served a search warrant on her vehicle soon after she cashed those checks at the bank. In conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Sheriff’s Office found newly purchased merchandise, the remainder of the bundled currency, and other coins belonging to the victims in the vehicle.

 The victims identified the remainder of the coins as part of those that were stolen from their farm in 2022. &nbsp;Under federal law, it is illegal to transport stolen goods across state lines. If convicted, Rutherford faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1656767029823.jpeg" alt="RUTHERFORD from an earlier arrest in Dickinson Co." />
 <figcaption>RUTHERFORD from an earlier arrest in Dickinson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas woman was indicted by a federal grand jury for interstate transportation of stolen goods.Amanda Rutherford, 45, was indicted on one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods for traveling across the state line to sell stolen coins, according to the United State's Attorney.Rutherford traveled to Missouri to sell over $100,000 in gold and silver coins that belonged to an elderly couple who resided in Kansas.&nbsp;The Dickinson County, Kansas Sheriff’s Office received a report in 2022 that several items, including firearms and collector coins, were stolen from the farm of an elderly couple. Rutherford lived on their property and claimed to be a caregiver for the couple. In early 2024, the Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Rutherford had sold gold coins to a jewelry store in Clay County, Missouri and had received several checks totaling $100,000. The Sheriff’s Office was able to confirm this information and served a search warrant on her vehicle soon after she cashed those checks at the bank. In conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Sheriff’s Office found newly purchased merchandise, the remainder of the bundled currency, and other coins belonging to the victims in the vehicle. The victims identified the remainder of the coins as part of those that were stolen from their farm in 2022. &nbsp;Under federal law, it is illegal to transport stolen goods across state lines. If convicted, Rutherford faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Kan. woman accused of selling stolen coins from elderly couple

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended a judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities, saying Tuesday that it is in the public interest to relieve her of her duties as she faces two federal charges.

The FBI took Milwaukee County Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-milwaukee-judge-hannah-dugan-c7247d7d053b8f1e098919e69f5853f3">Judge Hannah Dugan</a>&nbsp;into custody Friday morning at the county courthouse. She has been charged with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.

In its two-page order, the court said it was acting to protect public confidence in Wisconsin courts during the criminal proceedings against Dugan. The order noted that the court was acting on its own initiative and was not responding to a request from anyone. Liberal justices control the court 4-3.

“It is ordered ... that Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan is temporarily prohibited from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge in the state of Wisconsin, effective the date of this order and until further order of the court,” the justices wrote.

In a statement, Dugan's legal team said it was disappointed “that the Court acted in unilateral fashion. We continue to assert Judge Dugan’s innocence and look forward to her vindication in court.”

A state court spokesperson said that a reserve judge began filling in for Dugan on Monday for an indefinite period.

Dugan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-judge-arrested-7997186bbca5730e70a25f2347e631f6">is accused of</a>&nbsp;escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer from her court through the jury door last week after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the building and seeking his arrest. Flores-Ruiz, who court documents say illegally reentered the U.S. after being deported in 2013, was taken into custody outside after a foot chase.

Court documents suggest Dugan was alerted to the agents' presence by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway.

An FBI affidavit says Dugan was “visibly angry” over the agents' arrival and called the situation “absurd” before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse with what witnesses described as a “confrontational, angry demeanor.”

After a back-and-forth with officers over the warrant for Flores-Ruiz, Dugan demanded they speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom, the affidavit says.

After directing the agents to the chief judge’s office, investigators say, Dugan returned to the courtroom and was heard saying words to the effect of “wait, come with me” before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through the jury door into a nonpublic area.

The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because “only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door.”

Dugan's arrests has sparked outrage among Democrats, who have accused the Trump administration of trying to chill the judiciary. Demonstrators gathered outside the FBI's Milwaukee field office Saturday to protest her arrest.

She is set to appear in court for arraignment May 15.

Her attorneys include Craig Mastantuono; Paul Clement, a prominent conservative lawyer; and Steve Biskupic, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin who was appointed by President George W. Bush.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745621926702.png" alt="This 2016 photo shows Judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee. (Lee Matz/Milwaukee Independent via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This 2016 photo shows Judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee. (Lee Matz/Milwaukee Independent via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended a judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities, saying Tuesday that it is in the public interest to relieve her of her duties as she faces two federal charges.The FBI took Milwaukee County Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-milwaukee-judge-hannah-dugan-c7247d7d053b8f1e098919e69f5853f3">Judge Hannah Dugan</a>&nbsp;into custody Friday morning at the county courthouse. She has been charged with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.In its two-page order, the court said it was acting to protect public confidence in Wisconsin courts during the criminal proceedings against Dugan. The order noted that the court was acting on its own initiative and was not responding to a request from anyone. Liberal justices control the court 4-3.“It is ordered ... that Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan is temporarily prohibited from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge in the state of Wisconsin, effective the date of this order and until further order of the court,” the justices wrote.In a statement, Dugan's legal team said it was disappointed “that the Court acted in unilateral fashion. We continue to assert Judge Dugan’s innocence and look forward to her vindication in court.”A state court spokesperson said that a reserve judge began filling in for Dugan on Monday for an indefinite period.Dugan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-judge-arrested-7997186bbca5730e70a25f2347e631f6">is accused of</a>&nbsp;escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer from her court through the jury door last week after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the building and seeking his arrest. Flores-Ruiz, who court documents say illegally reentered the U.S. after being deported in 2013, was taken into custody outside after a foot chase.Court documents suggest Dugan was alerted to the agents' presence by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway.An FBI affidavit says Dugan was “visibly angry” over the agents' arrival and called the situation “absurd” before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse with what witnesses described as a “confrontational, angry demeanor.”After a back-and-forth with officers over the warrant for Flores-Ruiz, Dugan demanded they speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom, the affidavit says.After directing the agents to the chief judge’s office, investigators say, Dugan returned to the courtroom and was heard saying words to the effect of “wait, come with me” before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through the jury door into a nonpublic area.The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because “only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door.”Dugan's arrests has sparked outrage among Democrats, who have accused the Trump administration of trying to chill the judiciary. Demonstrators gathered outside the FBI's Milwaukee field office Saturday to protest her arrest.She is set to appear in court for arraignment May 15.Her attorneys include Craig Mastantuono; Paul Clement, a prominent conservative lawyer; and Steve Biskupic, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin who was appointed by President George W. Bush.

Court suspends judge accused of helping man evade immigration authorities

Alexis Thompson, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license, arrested 04/28

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/2025/4/1745952902895.jpeg" alt="Lamont Kairson, Criminal threat; Domestic battery, arrested 04/28" />
 <figcaption>Lamont Kairson, Criminal threat; Domestic battery, arrested 04/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745952913606.jpeg" alt="Christian Dominguez, Failure to appear, arrested 04/28" />
 <figcaption>Christian Dominguez, Failure to appear, arrested 04/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745952925150.jpeg" alt="Leonard Caligiuri Jr., DUI-Liquor or drugs, arrested 04/29" />
 <figcaption>Leonard Caligiuri Jr., DUI-Liquor or drugs, arrested 04/29</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Alexis Thompson, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license, arrested 04/28Recent 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 April 29

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a knife attack in Manhattan.

Just after 8p.m. Monday, officers filed a report of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal damage to property in the 3000 block of James Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 17-year-old girl reported that her 21-year-old brother armed himself with a knife and recklessly stabbed her in the leg. The injury sustained by the 17-year-old listed victim was non-life-threatening. A 39-year-old female was listed as a second victim in the incident, along with a door that was damaged. Police arrested&nbsp;lsen Talalele Jr, 21, of Manhattan, on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal damage to property. Talalele Jr. was issued a total bond of $10,000 and is no longer confined in custody, according to the RCPD.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a knife attack in Manhattan.Just after 8p.m. Monday, officers filed a report of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal damage to property in the 3000 block of James Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 17-year-old girl reported that her 21-year-old brother armed himself with a knife and recklessly stabbed her in the leg. The injury sustained by the 17-year-old listed victim was non-life-threatening. A 39-year-old female was listed as a second victim in the incident, along with a door that was damaged. Police arrested&nbsp;lsen Talalele Jr, 21, of Manhattan, on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal damage to property. Talalele Jr. was issued a total bond of $10,000 and is no longer confined in custody, according to the RCPD.

RCPD: Manhattan man jailed for knife attack on his sister

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 151 months in prison for distributing child exploitation sexual abuse materials.

According to court documents, Zachary Charles Hiskey, 27, of Hutchinson pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

In June 2021, Hiskey used his account on a messaging app called Kik to share videos depicting adult males engaged in sexually explicit activities with prepubescent children. Kik detected the videos and reported the account to law enforcement through a cyber tipline. This led to the discovery of other child exploitation sexual abuse materials connected to Hiskey’s email account and to IP logs at his home in Hutchinson.

While executing a search warrant at Hiskey's home, investigators found an electronic device with an Internet browser thumbnail of recently viewed child exploitation sexual abuse materials. A forensic examination revealed the Kik account in question had been installed and then deleted on his cell phone.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745874188067.png" alt="Hiskey following his arrest in December in Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Hiskey following his arrest in December in Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 151 months in prison for distributing child exploitation sexual abuse materials.According to court documents, Zachary Charles Hiskey, 27, of Hutchinson pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.In June 2021, Hiskey used his account on a messaging app called Kik to share videos depicting adult males engaged in sexually explicit activities with prepubescent children. Kik detected the videos and reported the account to law enforcement through a cyber tipline. This led to the discovery of other child exploitation sexual abuse materials connected to Hiskey’s email account and to IP logs at his home in Hutchinson.While executing a search warrant at Hiskey's home, investigators found an electronic device with an Internet browser thumbnail of recently viewed child exploitation sexual abuse materials. A forensic examination revealed the Kik account in question had been installed and then deleted on his cell phone.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

Kansas man admitted sharing child sex abuse videos

KANSAS CITY, Kansas —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting April 24, in Kansas City have identified the victim as 21-year-old Eric Johnson-Linares.

Just after 5p.m. April 24, police responded to a shooting in the 600 Block of South 71st Terrace, according to a media release. First responders found Johnson-Linares outside, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect details.

KANSAS CITY, Kansas —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting April 24, in Kansas City have identified the victim as 21-year-old Eric Johnson-Linares.Just after 5p.m. April 24, police responded to a shooting in the 600 Block of South 71st Terrace, according to a media release. First responders found Johnson-Linares outside, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect details.

Police ID victim in deadly Kansas shooting

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman arrested in connection with an accidental shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl made her first court appearance on Monday.&nbsp; Judge Shawn Elliott charged 50-year-old Ana Sorto Mejia of Wichita with one count of aggravated endangering a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before 2p.m. April 11, police responded to the 2500 block of E. Harry in Wichita following reports of a shooting, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders found a 4-year-old girl who had sustained a single gunshot wound to her lower torso. She was immediately transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gupilan.

After preliminary investigation, it was found that the child's guardian, identified as Sorto, left a firearm unsecured, allowing the child to access it, resulting in the child unintentionally shooting themselves.&nbsp; 

Late that night, police booked Sorto into the Sedgwick County Jail. She is not longer in custody. She is due back in court May 12.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744469792810.png" alt="Sorto-Mejia -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Sorto-Mejia -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman arrested in connection with an accidental shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl made her first court appearance on Monday.&nbsp; Judge Shawn Elliott charged 50-year-old Ana Sorto Mejia of Wichita with one count of aggravated endangering a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just before 2p.m. April 11, police responded to the 2500 block of E. Harry in Wichita following reports of a shooting, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders found a 4-year-old girl who had sustained a single gunshot wound to her lower torso. She was immediately transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gupilan.After preliminary investigation, it was found that the child's guardian, identified as Sorto, left a firearm unsecured, allowing the child to access it, resulting in the child unintentionally shooting themselves.&nbsp; Late that night, police booked Sorto into the Sedgwick County Jail. She is not longer in custody. She is due back in court May 12.

Kan. woman faces judge for accidental shooting of 4-year-old

Geary County Sheriff Nate Boeckman provided details on case numbers for the past two weeks to the Geary County Commission on Monday. Some of those included:

There are three deputy and three corrections officer openings. Boeckman expects to have them filled next month.

Geary County Sheriff Nate Boeckman provided details on case numbers for the past two weeks to the Geary County Commission on Monday. Some of those included:--average daily population of 91 inmates--seven accidents worked--one DUI case--one domestic incident--three drug investigationa--one battery / assault--three criminal damage to property--one theft / burglary caseThere were 38 arrests.There are three deputy and three corrections officer openings. Boeckman expects to have them filled next month.

Sheriff gives his biweekly report

Eldonda Davis, Probation violation, arrested 04/23

Dakota Miller, Unlawful restraint; Criminal deprivation of property; Domestic battery, arrested 04/23

Tara Thomas, Failure to appear, arrested 04/23

Jason Ludecke, Probation violation, arrested 04/23

Mary Spoore, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license; Theft-all other, arrested 04/24

Samantha Arnold, Failure to appear, arrested 04/24

Edward Williams, Failure to appear, arrested 04/24

Mathew Teague, Driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked, arrested 04/25

Darrin Jackson, Failure to appear, arrested 04/25

Michael Thomas, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 04/25

Dominique Cyphers, Failure to appear, arrested 04/25

Derek Wiliams, Interference with LEO; Possession of marijuana (Two or more prior convictions), Unlawful acts, arrested 04/25

Nathan Moreno, Failure to appear; Possession of marijuana; Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 04/25

Britteny Hall, Failure to appear, arrested 04/25

Cynthia Lee, Interference with LEO; Obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor warrant service or execution; Battery against a law enforcement officer; DUI - Liquor/Drugs, arrested 04/26

Damani Bisio, Outside warrant; Interference with LEO, arrested 04/26

James Innes, Failure to appear, arrested 04/26

Victoria Velasquez, Interference with Law enforcement; Transporting of alcoholic beverage; DUI - Liquor or drugs, arrested 04/26

Samuel Lewczyk, Transporting of alcoholic beverage, arrested 04/26

Roland Kamara,&nbsp;Transporting of alcoholic beverage, arrested 04/26

Jayliah Smith, Interference with Law enforcement; Transporting of alcoholic beverage; Littering from vehicle, arrested 04/26

Judy McMillan, Failure to appear, arrested 04/27

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/2025/4/1745871171971.jpeg" alt="Omar Harris, Stalking; Reckless conduct causing fear to person or family, arrested 04/24" />
 <figcaption>Omar Harris, Stalking; Reckless conduct causing fear to person or family, arrested 04/24</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745871183750.jpeg" alt="Francisco Parvin, Disorderly conduct; Interference with LEO; Obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor&nbsp; warrant service or execution, arrested 04/24" />
 <figcaption>Francisco Parvin, Disorderly conduct; Interference with LEO; Obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor&nbsp; warrant service or execution, arrested 04/24</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745871547810.jpeg" alt="Derrick James, Making false information, arrested 04/25" />
 <figcaption>Derrick James, Making false information, arrested 04/25</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745872047717.jpeg" alt="Kwhentin Mccloud, Possession of stolen property (Firearm with value less than $25,000) Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon; Firearm not used in the commission of crime; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana (One prior conviction), Driving while license canceled/suspended/revoked; Failure to appear, arrested 04/25" />
 <figcaption>Kwhentin Mccloud, Possession of stolen property (Firearm with value less than $25,000) Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon; Firearm not used in the commission of crime; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana (One prior conviction), Driving while license canceled/suspended/revoked; Failure to appear, arrested 04/25</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745872072269.jpeg" alt="Patrick Presley, Failure to appear, arrested 04/26" />
 <figcaption>Patrick Presley, Failure to appear, arrested 04/26</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745873145785.jpeg" alt="Melvin Sanford, Probation violation; Possession of controlled substance; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana, arrested 04/26" />
 <figcaption>Melvin Sanford, Probation violation; Possession of controlled substance; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana, arrested 04/26</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745873157944.jpeg" alt="Shivangi Sharma, Reckless driving; Driving under the influence of drugs or combination of drugs, arrested 04/27" />
 <figcaption>Shivangi Sharma, Reckless driving; Driving under the influence of drugs or combination of drugs, arrested 04/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745873172456.jpeg" alt="Cesar Cruz-Mendieta, Domestic battery; Knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, arrested 04/27" />
 <figcaption>Cesar Cruz-Mendieta, Domestic battery; Knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, arrested 04/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745873188139.jpeg" alt="Christopher Hill, Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked. arrested 04/27" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Hill, Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked. arrested 04/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745873201868.jpeg" alt="Kelly Simmons, Failure to appear, arrested 04/27" />
 <figcaption>Kelly Simmons, Failure to appear, arrested 04/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745873212047.jpeg" alt="Kodie Glidewell, Aggravated assault, arrested 04/27" />
 <figcaption>Kodie Glidewell, Aggravated assault, arrested 04/27</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Eldonda Davis, Probation violation, arrested 04/23Dakota Miller, Unlawful restraint; Criminal deprivation of property; Domestic battery, arrested 04/23Tara Thomas, Failure to appear, arrested 04/23Jason Ludecke, Probation violation, arrested 04/23Mary Spoore, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license; Theft-all other, arrested 04/24Samantha Arnold, Failure to appear, arrested 04/24Edward Williams, Failure to appear, arrested 04/24Mathew Teague, Driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked, arrested 04/25Darrin Jackson, Failure to appear, arrested 04/25Michael Thomas, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 04/25Dominique Cyphers, Failure to appear, arrested 04/25Derek Wiliams, Interference with LEO; Possession of marijuana (Two or more prior convictions), Unlawful acts, arrested 04/25Nathan Moreno, Failure to appear; Possession of marijuana; Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 04/25Britteny Hall, Failure to appear, arrested 04/25Cynthia Lee, Interference with LEO; Obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor warrant service or execution; Battery against a law enforcement officer; DUI - Liquor/Drugs, arrested 04/26Damani Bisio, Outside warrant; Interference with LEO, arrested 04/26James Innes, Failure to appear, arrested 04/26Victoria Velasquez, Interference with Law enforcement; Transporting of alcoholic beverage; DUI - Liquor or drugs, arrested 04/26Samuel Lewczyk, Transporting of alcoholic beverage, arrested 04/26Roland Kamara,&nbsp;Transporting of alcoholic beverage, arrested 04/26Jayliah Smith, Interference with Law enforcement; Transporting of alcoholic beverage; Littering from vehicle, arrested 04/26Judy McMillan, Failure to appear, arrested 04/27Recent 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 April 24-28

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday she had signed into law 11 bills, meeting a deadline and cementing public education funding, tax incentives for major data centers and a new crime for possessing, creating or distributing AI-generated child pornography.

The bills were bipartisan, Kelly said, as she signed them before the end of the 10-day period she has to take action after the Legislature delivers them to her.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb186/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 186</a>&nbsp;crafted first-time, clear protections for those who are the subject of AI-generated imagery without their consent. It’s an effort to mitigate the harms caused by technology, “in both the digital realm and the physical world,” Kelly said in a news release.

“Given the rise of AI-enabled crime, enhancing public safety for our fellow Kansans is crucial,” Kelly said.

The law applies to the alteration of real photos or generating new material from scratch, said Rep. Brad Barrett, an Osage City Republican who sat on the House committee that heard and negotiated the original bill.&nbsp;

“This legislation strengthens our child exploitation laws to protect kids from this evolving threat and also updates our breach of privacy law to shield adults from having their images maliciously altered to appear nude or sexually explicit when they have an expectation of privacy,” he said.

The law adds to the definition of sex crimes within the Kansas Criminal Code to include AI-generated material. It also modifies existing criminal bond-setting procedure to hike up bond rates for any defendant with prior convictions of sexually violent crimes. The minimum bond for those defendants is now $750,000, which Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes said addresses patterns of “predatory behavior.”

“This part of the bill ensures the safety of victims comes first,” Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said. “By requiring the consideration of similar prior acts when setting bond, we can alleviate some of the fear for victims.”

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb156/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 156</a>&nbsp;increases the amount of money inmates can receive from the Kansas Department of Corrections for losses, personal injury or property damage.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb204/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 204</a>&nbsp;seals criminal and juvenile cases — meaning information is kept secret — until an arrest warrant is executed. It also creates a new appointment process for trustees of county law libraries.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb237/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 237</a>&nbsp;empowers law enforcement officers to investigate violations of the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Act, which targets scrap metal dealers. It was initially proposed by the Wichita Police Department.

Kelly said a new law that incentivizes major data center projects in Kansas gives “the state another tool in the toolbox to bring jobs, infrastructure, and prosperity to Kansas communities through economic development.”

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb98/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 98</a>&nbsp;creates a 20-year sales tax exemption for data centers investing at least $250 million within five years of opening. The exemption could include land acquisition, development and construction, equipment acquisition and permitting, design, engineering, labor for installing and maintaining data center equipment, and lease payments.

Businesses that receive the exemption must by law conserve, reuse, and replace water, pay for electricity from a public utility for 10 years and maintain at least 20 new jobs at the data center within two years of launching.

Kelly also signed into law&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2289/" target="_blank">House Bill 2289</a>, which was championed by Stilwell Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater and enacts limits on housing tax credits. Over time, the law eventually will dismantle the state’s affordable housing tax credit program.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2125/" target="_blank">House Bill 2125</a>&nbsp;reauthorized the 20-mill statewide school property tax levy to finance public schools through the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. The bill also sets strict deadlines on local taxing entities, enabling county clerks to use a taxing jurisdiction’s budget and tax levy from the previous year if it doesn’t submit budget information by Oct. 1.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2231/" target="_blank">House Bill 2231</a>&nbsp;shifts Kansas to a corporate income tax calculation method that aligns with the majority of states. Kelly said the law evens “the playing field for Kansas-based businesses, making the state more attractive for capital investment, and encouraging job creation.”

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2335/" target="_blank">House Bill 2335</a>&nbsp;creates, beginning in January, a new license plate for members of hunting organization Hunter Nation.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2007/" target="_blank">House Bill 2007</a>&nbsp;cleans up statutes that were amended multiple times during the 2025 session.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2275/" target="_blank">House Bill 2275</a>&nbsp;enables a handful of Kansas counties to ask voters whether they favor a sales tax proposal to fund projects. It also creates a tax exemption for custom meat processing sales.

In Finney County, county commissioners want to impose a 0.5% sales tax to finance construction or remodeling projects in the county courthouse, jail, law enforcement center or other administrative building.

In Jackson County, commissioners want to ask voters if they would favor a 0.25% sales tax to support hospital services.

In Pawnee County, commissioners can ask voters if they want to pay an up to 1% sales tax for providing health care services and “furnish” and “equip” public safety operations.

In Seward County, voters will decide if they want to pay a 0.5% sales tax to fund road and bridge projects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745864234505.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly, pictured here at a May 14, 2024, event in Topeka, signed 11 bills into law last week following the close of the 2025 legislative session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly, pictured here at a May 14, 2024, event in Topeka, signed 11 bills into law last week following the close of the 2025 legislative session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday she had signed into law 11 bills, meeting a deadline and cementing public education funding, tax incentives for major data centers and a new crime for possessing, creating or distributing AI-generated child pornography.The bills were bipartisan, Kelly said, as she signed them before the end of the 10-day period she has to take action after the Legislature delivers them to her.Crime and law enforcement<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb186/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 186</a>&nbsp;crafted first-time, clear protections for those who are the subject of AI-generated imagery without their consent. It’s an effort to mitigate the harms caused by technology, “in both the digital realm and the physical world,” Kelly said in a news release.“Given the rise of AI-enabled crime, enhancing public safety for our fellow Kansans is crucial,” Kelly said.The law applies to the alteration of real photos or generating new material from scratch, said Rep. Brad Barrett, an Osage City Republican who sat on the House committee that heard and negotiated the original bill.&nbsp;“This legislation strengthens our child exploitation laws to protect kids from this evolving threat and also updates our breach of privacy law to shield adults from having their images maliciously altered to appear nude or sexually explicit when they have an expectation of privacy,” he said.The law adds to the definition of sex crimes within the Kansas Criminal Code to include AI-generated material. It also modifies existing criminal bond-setting procedure to hike up bond rates for any defendant with prior convictions of sexually violent crimes. The minimum bond for those defendants is now $750,000, which Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes said addresses patterns of “predatory behavior.”“This part of the bill ensures the safety of victims comes first,” Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said. “By requiring the consideration of similar prior acts when setting bond, we can alleviate some of the fear for victims.”<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb156/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 156</a>&nbsp;increases the amount of money inmates can receive from the Kansas Department of Corrections for losses, personal injury or property damage.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb204/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 204</a>&nbsp;seals criminal and juvenile cases — meaning information is kept secret — until an arrest warrant is executed. It also creates a new appointment process for trustees of county law libraries.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb237/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 237</a>&nbsp;empowers law enforcement officers to investigate violations of the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Act, which targets scrap metal dealers. It was initially proposed by the Wichita Police Department.Industry and developmentKelly said a new law that incentivizes major data center projects in Kansas gives “the state another tool in the toolbox to bring jobs, infrastructure, and prosperity to Kansas communities through economic development.”<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb98/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 98</a>&nbsp;creates a 20-year sales tax exemption for data centers investing at least $250 million within five years of opening. The exemption could include land acquisition, development and construction, equipment acquisition and permitting, design, engineering, labor for installing and maintaining data center equipment, and lease payments.Businesses that receive the exemption must by law conserve, reuse, and replace water, pay for electricity from a public utility for 10 years and maintain at least 20 new jobs at the data center within two years of launching.Kelly also signed into law&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2289/" target="_blank">House Bill 2289</a>, which was championed by Stilwell Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater and enacts limits on housing tax credits. Over time, the law eventually will dismantle the state’s affordable housing tax credit program.Taxes and government<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2125/" target="_blank">House Bill 2125</a>&nbsp;reauthorized the 20-mill statewide school property tax levy to finance public schools through the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. The bill also sets strict deadlines on local taxing entities, enabling county clerks to use a taxing jurisdiction’s budget and tax levy from the previous year if it doesn’t submit budget information by Oct. 1.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2231/" target="_blank">House Bill 2231</a>&nbsp;shifts Kansas to a corporate income tax calculation method that aligns with the majority of states. Kelly said the law evens “the playing field for Kansas-based businesses, making the state more attractive for capital investment, and encouraging job creation.”<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2335/" target="_blank">House Bill 2335</a>&nbsp;creates, beginning in January, a new license plate for members of hunting organization Hunter Nation.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2007/" target="_blank">House Bill 2007</a>&nbsp;cleans up statutes that were amended multiple times during the 2025 session.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2275/" target="_blank">House Bill 2275</a>&nbsp;enables a handful of Kansas counties to ask voters whether they favor a sales tax proposal to fund projects. It also creates a tax exemption for custom meat processing sales.In Finney County, county commissioners want to impose a 0.5% sales tax to finance construction or remodeling projects in the county courthouse, jail, law enforcement center or other administrative building.In Jackson County, commissioners want to ask voters if they would favor a 0.25% sales tax to support hospital services.In Pawnee County, commissioners can ask voters if they want to pay an up to 1% sales tax for providing health care services and “furnish” and “equip” public safety operations.In Seward County, voters will decide if they want to pay a 0.5% sales tax to fund road and bridge projects.

Kansas governor signs 11 bills dealing with crime, industry, governing

WICHITA, KS&nbsp;— On April 25, 2025, at 8:07 pm, Wichita Police were in the area of South Topeka and East Indianapolis in Wichita when they heard gunshots nearby, according to Wichita Police Officer Brad Wright.

Officers immediately responded to the area in the 800 block of South Broadway. Upon arrival, officers discovered that 21-year-old Martevion Davis from Wichita had suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and arms. Davis was driven to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 10:46 p.m., according to Wright.

Through investigations, Officers were quickly able to identify a 35-year-old male of Wichita as the suspect. There were multiple individuals at the scene who were later interviewed by Wichita Police Department Homicide Investigators. At this point in the investigation, it is believed that Davis and the suspect were known to each other.

At 12:30 p.m. Saturday the 35-year-old male suspect identified as James Owens, according to county arrest records, turned himself into police custody and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of First Degree Murder. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745701616774.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KS&nbsp;— On April 25, 2025, at 8:07 pm, Wichita Police were in the area of South Topeka and East Indianapolis in Wichita when they heard gunshots nearby, according to Wichita Police Officer Brad Wright.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745750207897.png" alt="Owens photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Owens photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers immediately responded to the area in the 800 block of South Broadway. Upon arrival, officers discovered that 21-year-old Martevion Davis from Wichita had suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and arms. Davis was driven to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 10:46 p.m., according to Wright.Through investigations, Officers were quickly able to identify a 35-year-old male of Wichita as the suspect. There were multiple individuals at the scene who were later interviewed by Wichita Police Department Homicide Investigators. At this point in the investigation, it is believed that Davis and the suspect were known to each other.At 12:30 p.m. Saturday the 35-year-old male suspect identified as James Owens, according to county arrest records, turned himself into police custody and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of First Degree Murder.

Suspect in deadly Kan. motel shooting turns himself in to police

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;on Monday alleged a U.S. airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing at least 68 people and wounding 47 others. The U.S. military had no immediate comment.

The strike in Yemen's Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, is the latest incident in the country's decadelong war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-saudi-arabia-yemen-migrants-hrw-c6958c2593573c0c8fc64794a60f777c">to kill African migrants from Ethiopia and other nations</a>&nbsp;who risk crossing the nation for a chance to work in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

It also likely will renew questions from activists about the American campaign, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” which has been targeting the rebels as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-nuclear-talks-oman-f2e4ecf49c62c11a0240153d7f900d0d">Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program</a>.

The U.S. military's Central Command, in a statement early Monday before news of the alleged strike broke, sought to defend its policy of offering no specific details of its extensive airstrike campaign. The strikes have drawn controversy in America over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-houthis-attack-8dbf9dd6c711796438a5c1c84831c40b">use of the unclassified Signal messaging app</a>&nbsp;to post sensitive details about the attacks.

“To preserve operational security, we have intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations,” Central Command said. “We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do.”

It did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press about the alleged strike in Saada.

Graphic footage shows aftermath of explosion

Graphic footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed what appeared to be dead bodies and others wounded at the site. The Houthi-run Interior Ministry said some 115 migrants had been detained at the site.

The rebels' Civil Defense organization said at least 68 people had been killed and 47 others wounded in the attack.

Footage from the site analyzed by the AP suggested some kind of explosion took place there, with its cement walls seemingly peppered by debris fragments and the wounds suffered by those there.

A woman's voice, soft in the footage, can be heard repeating the start of a prayer in Arabic: “In the name of God.” An occasional gunshot rang out as medics sought to help those wounded.

African migrants caught in middle of Yemen's war

Ethiopians and other African migrants for years have landed in Yemen, braving the war-torn nation to try and reach Saudi Arabia for work. The Houthi rebels allegedly make tens of thousands of dollars a week smuggling migrants over the border.

Migrants from Ethiopia have found themselves detained, abused and even killed in Saudi Arabia and Yemen during the war. An Oct. 3, 2022, letter to the kingdom from the U.N. said its investigators “received concerning allegations of cross-border artillery shelling and small arms fire allegedly by Saudi security forces, causing the deaths of up to 430 and injuring 650 migrants.”

Saudi Arabia has denied killing migrants.

Monday's alleged strike recalled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-middle-east-sanaa-dubai-cfad87600e2c93ab9af22dc80ba27875">a similar strike by a Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis back in 2022</a>&nbsp;on the same compound, which caused a collapse killing 66 detainees and wounding 113 others, a United Nations report later said. The Houthis shot dead 16 detainees who fled after the strike and wounded another 50, the U.N. said. The Saudi-led coalition sought to justify the strike by saying the Houthis built and launched drones there, but the U.N. said it was known to be a detention facility.

“The coalition should have avoided any attack on that facility,” the U.N. report added.

That 2022 attack was one of the deadliest single attacks in the yearslong war between the coalition and the Houthi rebels and came after the Houthis struck inside the UAE twice with missiles and drones,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-dubai-united-arab-emirates-abu-dhabi-yemen-8bdefdf900ce46a6fd6c7bc685bf838a">killing three in a strike near Abu Dhabi's international airport</a>.

US military says over 800 strikes conducted in campaign so far

Meanwhile, U.S. airstrikes overnight targeting Yemen's capital killed at least eight people, the Houthis said. The American military acknowledged carrying out over 800 individual strikes in their monthlong campaign.

The overnight statement from Central Command also said “Operation Rough Rider” had “killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,” including those associated with its missile and drone program. It did not identify any of those officials.

“Iran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis,” the statement said. “The Houthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the Iranian regime.”

"We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region," it added.

The U.S. is targeting the Houthis because of the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel. The Houthis are also the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.

The U.S. is conducting strikes on Yemen from its two aircraft carriers in the region — the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea.

On April 18,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-563f61bbd96e1f2de68373fdf76c8811">an American strike on the Ras Isa fuel port</a>&nbsp;killed at least 74 people and wounded 171 others in the deadliest-known attack of the American campaign. Central Command on Monday offered an explanation for why it hit the port.

“U.S. strikes destroyed the ability of Ras Isa Port to accept fuel, which will begin to impact Houthi ability to not only conduct operations, but also to generate millions of dollars in revenue for their terror activities,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Houthis have increasingly sought to control the flow of information from the territory they hold to the outside world. It issued a notice Sunday that all those holding Starlink satellite internet receivers should “quickly hand over” the devices to authorities.

“A field campaign will be implemented in coordination with the security authorities to arrest anyone who sells, trades, uses, operates, installs or possesses these prohibited terminals,” the Houthis warned.

Starlink terminals have been crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-ukraine-starlink-russia-air-force-fde93d9a69d7dbd1326022ecfdbc53c2">Ukraine in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion</a>&nbsp;and receivers also have been smuggled into Iran amid unrest there.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745834468939.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;on Monday alleged a U.S. airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing at least 68 people and wounding 47 others. The U.S. military had no immediate comment.The strike in Yemen's Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, is the latest incident in the country's decadelong war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-saudi-arabia-yemen-migrants-hrw-c6958c2593573c0c8fc64794a60f777c">to kill African migrants from Ethiopia and other nations</a>&nbsp;who risk crossing the nation for a chance to work in neighboring Saudi Arabia.It also likely will renew questions from activists about the American campaign, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” which has been targeting the rebels as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-nuclear-talks-oman-f2e4ecf49c62c11a0240153d7f900d0d">Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program</a>.The U.S. military's Central Command, in a statement early Monday before news of the alleged strike broke, sought to defend its policy of offering no specific details of its extensive airstrike campaign. The strikes have drawn controversy in America over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-houthis-attack-8dbf9dd6c711796438a5c1c84831c40b">use of the unclassified Signal messaging app</a>&nbsp;to post sensitive details about the attacks.“To preserve operational security, we have intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations,” Central Command said. “We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do.”It did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press about the alleged strike in Saada.<h2>Graphic footage shows aftermath of explosion</h2>Graphic footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed what appeared to be dead bodies and others wounded at the site. The Houthi-run Interior Ministry said some 115 migrants had been detained at the site.The rebels' Civil Defense organization said at least 68 people had been killed and 47 others wounded in the attack.Footage from the site analyzed by the AP suggested some kind of explosion took place there, with its cement walls seemingly peppered by debris fragments and the wounds suffered by those there.A woman's voice, soft in the footage, can be heard repeating the start of a prayer in Arabic: “In the name of God.” An occasional gunshot rang out as medics sought to help those wounded.<h2>African migrants caught in middle of Yemen's war</h2>Ethiopians and other African migrants for years have landed in Yemen, braving the war-torn nation to try and reach Saudi Arabia for work. The Houthi rebels allegedly make tens of thousands of dollars a week smuggling migrants over the border.Migrants from Ethiopia have found themselves detained, abused and even killed in Saudi Arabia and Yemen during the war. An Oct. 3, 2022, letter to the kingdom from the U.N. said its investigators “received concerning allegations of cross-border artillery shelling and small arms fire allegedly by Saudi security forces, causing the deaths of up to 430 and injuring 650 migrants.”Saudi Arabia has denied killing migrants.Monday's alleged strike recalled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-middle-east-sanaa-dubai-cfad87600e2c93ab9af22dc80ba27875">a similar strike by a Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis back in 2022</a>&nbsp;on the same compound, which caused a collapse killing 66 detainees and wounding 113 others, a United Nations report later said. The Houthis shot dead 16 detainees who fled after the strike and wounded another 50, the U.N. said. The Saudi-led coalition sought to justify the strike by saying the Houthis built and launched drones there, but the U.N. said it was known to be a detention facility.“The coalition should have avoided any attack on that facility,” the U.N. report added.That 2022 attack was one of the deadliest single attacks in the yearslong war between the coalition and the Houthi rebels and came after the Houthis struck inside the UAE twice with missiles and drones,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-dubai-united-arab-emirates-abu-dhabi-yemen-8bdefdf900ce46a6fd6c7bc685bf838a">killing three in a strike near Abu Dhabi's international airport</a>.<h2>US military says over 800 strikes conducted in campaign so far</h2>Meanwhile, U.S. airstrikes overnight targeting Yemen's capital killed at least eight people, the Houthis said. The American military acknowledged carrying out over 800 individual strikes in their monthlong campaign.The overnight statement from Central Command also said “Operation Rough Rider” had “killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,” including those associated with its missile and drone program. It did not identify any of those officials.“Iran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis,” the statement said. “The Houthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the Iranian regime.”"We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region," it added.The U.S. is targeting the Houthis because of the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel. The Houthis are also the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.<h2>US discusses deadly port strike</h2>The U.S. is conducting strikes on Yemen from its two aircraft carriers in the region — the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea.On April 18,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-563f61bbd96e1f2de68373fdf76c8811">an American strike on the Ras Isa fuel port</a>&nbsp;killed at least 74 people and wounded 171 others in the deadliest-known attack of the American campaign. Central Command on Monday offered an explanation for why it hit the port.“U.S. strikes destroyed the ability of Ras Isa Port to accept fuel, which will begin to impact Houthi ability to not only conduct operations, but also to generate millions of dollars in revenue for their terror activities,” it said.Meanwhile, the Houthis have increasingly sought to control the flow of information from the territory they hold to the outside world. It issued a notice Sunday that all those holding Starlink satellite internet receivers should “quickly hand over” the devices to authorities.“A field campaign will be implemented in coordination with the security authorities to arrest anyone who sells, trades, uses, operates, installs or possesses these prohibited terminals,” the Houthis warned.Starlink terminals have been crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-ukraine-starlink-russia-air-force-fde93d9a69d7dbd1326022ecfdbc53c2">Ukraine in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion</a>&nbsp;and receivers also have been smuggled into Iran amid unrest there.

Houthi rebels say alleged US airstrike hit Yemen prison, dozens killed

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a home invasion burglary have captured a suspect.

Just before 3a.m. April 14, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding an in-progress burglary to a residence in&nbsp; the 6800 block of SE US 40 Highway, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

An 84-year-old woman was home alone when she heard someone shattering glass windows and doors. Home surveillance video showed two masked individuals with a firearm and burglary tools attempting to kick in a door into the residence.

Within minutes, deputies arrived on scene and found that the individuals had fled the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival.

Valuable information was gathered and disseminated to other law enforcement agencies for assistance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745530375789.png" alt="Weems photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Weems photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a home invasion burglary have captured a suspect.Just before 3a.m. April 14, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding an in-progress burglary to a residence in&nbsp; the 6800 block of SE US 40 Highway, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.An 84-year-old woman was home alone when she heard someone shattering glass windows and doors. Home surveillance video showed two masked individuals with a firearm and burglary tools attempting to kick in a door into the residence.Within minutes, deputies arrived on scene and found that the individuals had fled the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival.Valuable information was gathered and disseminated to other law enforcement agencies for assistance.On April 22, Shawnee&nbsp; County Sheriff Brian Hill along with members of the Criminal Investigations Division and Fugitive Warrants Unit located one suspect in a Dodge Durango leaving the drive thru of a restaurant in the 1700 block of SE 29th Street. The Dodge was pinned in and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.Erick M. Weems Jr., 30, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested chargesof&nbsp; Aggravated burglary, Criminal damage to property, Theft &lt; $1,500,&nbsp;&nbsp;Driving while license suspended; 3rd of subsequent conviction, Driving while a habitual violated; 3 rd of subsequent conviction. Weems Jr. also had multiple warrants for his arrest.