PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting in Pawnee County have made an arrest.

 Just after 5:00 p.m. Saturday, emergency dispatch was notified of a shooting that had just occurred at a property on K19 Highway South near Larned, Kansas, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett

The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, Larned Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Pawnee County EMS responded to the scene where they discovered one male gunshot victim. The individual was transported to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital where he late died from his injuries.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting in the investigation at the request of the Pawnee County Sheriff. Special agents from the KBI processed the crime scene. A formal autopsy has been ordered.

Michael Reynolds, 67 of Larned, was taken into custody at the scene without incident, on requested charges of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held at the Pawnee County Jail.

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting in Pawnee County have made an arrest. Just after 5:00 p.m. Saturday, emergency dispatch was notified of a shooting that had just occurred at a property on K19 Highway South near Larned, Kansas, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNettThe Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, Larned Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Pawnee County EMS responded to the scene where they discovered one male gunshot victim. The individual was transported to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital where he late died from his injuries.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting in the investigation at the request of the Pawnee County Sheriff. Special agents from the KBI processed the crime scene. A formal autopsy has been ordered.Michael Reynolds, 67 of Larned, was taken into custody at the scene without incident, on requested charges of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held at the Pawnee County Jail.

67-year-old accused in deadly rural Kansas shooting

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop&nbsp;near North Kansas Avenue and NE Gordon Street in Topeka on a white 2014 Lincoln MKZ without a visible license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located. Deputies arrested Deneile L. Snow, 40, of Topeka and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of a stimulant, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container of liquor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711558098671.png" alt="Snow-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Snow-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop&nbsp;near North Kansas Avenue and NE Gordon Street in Topeka on a white 2014 Lincoln MKZ without a visible license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located. Deputies arrested Deneile L. Snow, 40, of Topeka and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of a stimulant, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container of liquor.

Sheriff: Kan. drug suspect was driving car without a license plate

Junction City police report that in the last two weeks, ongoing investigations into fentanyl distribution have led to significant breakthroughs. JCPD Officers and Detectives have seized more than 2,300 fentanyl-laced pills, known as "Dirty 30s," along with 3 kilograms of pure fentanyl. This seizure has removed the equivalent of approximately 1.5 million potential lethal doses of fentanyl from the streets, considering both the pills and the pure fentanyl seized. 

Police said multiple arrests have been made. They are reminding the public about the dangers of synthetic opioids, echoing the message of the DEA's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/onepillcankill?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXvTsYqLSYre7DtDnPah5jcGStrgUeB9wsg0PCyosFaFBEphle4mIHm32SIkeyC1CzpDXC8Un7l353ZYHmiKtBpWlbSGSW4MS1qnq5R_bQv6EhfNmqWWDeysEohdKxNnsMVMmITXqBLMSM8owuqkN3otmoFletqXdXoFKOHzFXl6ZpKMHfXnpe8cv4_7xgWpwU&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#OnePillCanKill</a> campaign. This campaign highlights the alarming rise in overdose deaths linked to fentanyl, a substance up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Just a tiny amount can be deadly.

The DEA warned that counterfeit pills, often made to look like prescription medications, are flooding communities. These pills are easily accessible and pose a significant risk, especially to young people who might be unaware of their lethal potential. Only consume medication that you receive from your doctor or pharmacy.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711889635481.png" alt="Photo Junction City Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Junction City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JCPD&nbsp;Junction City police report that in the last two weeks, ongoing investigations into fentanyl distribution have led to significant breakthroughs. JCPD Officers and Detectives have seized more than 2,300 fentanyl-laced pills, known as "Dirty 30s," along with 3 kilograms of pure fentanyl. This seizure has removed the equivalent of approximately 1.5 million potential lethal doses of fentanyl from the streets, considering both the pills and the pure fentanyl seized. Police said multiple arrests have been made. They are reminding the public about the dangers of synthetic opioids, echoing the message of the DEA's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/onepillcankill?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXvTsYqLSYre7DtDnPah5jcGStrgUeB9wsg0PCyosFaFBEphle4mIHm32SIkeyC1CzpDXC8Un7l353ZYHmiKtBpWlbSGSW4MS1qnq5R_bQv6EhfNmqWWDeysEohdKxNnsMVMmITXqBLMSM8owuqkN3otmoFletqXdXoFKOHzFXl6ZpKMHfXnpe8cv4_7xgWpwU&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#OnePillCanKill</a> campaign. This campaign highlights the alarming rise in overdose deaths linked to fentanyl, a substance up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Just a tiny amount can be deadly. The DEA warned that counterfeit pills, often made to look like prescription medications, are flooding communities. These pills are easily accessible and pose a significant risk, especially to young people who might be unaware of their lethal potential. Only consume medication that you receive from your doctor or pharmacy.&nbsp;

JCPD reports seizure of fentanyl-laced pills.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A 17-year-old and an adult accused in a deadly shooting have made court appearances in the case.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=259220">Tyree Jackson, 41, Wichita,</a> made his first court appearance Wednesday and has been charged with with 1st degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp; Police arrested him Wednesday.

&nbsp;A 17-year old co-defendant, who turned himself in, has been charged in Juvenile court, according to the district attorney's office.

Just before 5p.m. Thursday,&nbsp; police were alerted to a shooting incident in the 2200 Block of N. Grove in Wichita, according to Police spokesperson Andrew Ford.

First responders discovered 20-year-old Jaden Wilson outside of a gold Buick, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced deceased at 5:46 p.m. by Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services.

A witness in the vehicle at the time of the incident was able to provide officers with details that quickly led to the identification of the suspect.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim and the suspect were acquainted and involved in an ongoing dispute, the specifics of which remain under investigation.

A short time after the shooting occurred, the teen suspect voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement at the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=259220">Jackson remains jailed </a>on a $750,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp; He is scheduled back in court on April 5.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711631518712.png" alt="Jackson-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Jackson-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A 17-year-old and an adult accused in a deadly shooting have made court appearances in the case.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=259220">Tyree Jackson, 41, Wichita,</a> made his first court appearance Wednesday and has been charged with with 1st degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp; Police arrested him Wednesday.&nbsp;A 17-year old co-defendant, who turned himself in, has been charged in Juvenile court, according to the district attorney's office.Just before 5p.m. Thursday,&nbsp; police were alerted to a shooting incident in the 2200 Block of N. Grove in Wichita, according to Police spokesperson Andrew Ford.First responders discovered 20-year-old Jaden Wilson outside of a gold Buick, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced deceased at 5:46 p.m. by Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services.A witness in the vehicle at the time of the incident was able to provide officers with details that quickly led to the identification of the suspect.A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim and the suspect were acquainted and involved in an ongoing dispute, the specifics of which remain under investigation.A short time after the shooting occurred, the teen suspect voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement at the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=259220">Jackson remains jailed </a>on a $750,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp; He is scheduled back in court on April 5.

Teen who turned himself in and Kan. man charged in killing

ALLEN COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a former Kansas sheriff’s deputy for sex crimes following a missing persons case investigated with the Hays Police Department.

Just after 7p.m.&nbsp; Friday, KBI agents arrested Michael Tennyson, 24, of Iola, at the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, according to a media release from the KBI.

 Tennyson was arrested for aggravated indecent liberties with a child. In January, Tennyson had been newly hired as a deputy for the Allen County Sheriff’s Office. His employment was terminated Friday when the allegations became known.

On Friday, around 3:30 p.m., the Hays Police Department requested KBI assistance to help locate a 15-year-old runaway. The juvenile had been missing since March 22. Hays police officers believed the teen was with Tennyson in Iola, Kansas. The Allen County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the situation at 4 p.m.&nbsp;They quickly located the juvenile at Tennyson’s residence, and placed her into protective custody.

KBI agents gathered additional evidence in the case, and interviewed the parties involved. The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, the Iola Police Department, and the Ray County Missouri Sheriff’s Office also assisted in this investigation. After his arrest, Tennyson was booked into the Allen County Jail, but he will be housed at the Bourbon County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711809135118.png" alt="Tennyson-photo Allen Co." />
 <figcaption>Tennyson-photo Allen Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ALLEN COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a former Kansas sheriff’s deputy for sex crimes following a missing persons case investigated with the Hays Police Department.Just after 7p.m.&nbsp; Friday, KBI agents arrested Michael Tennyson, 24, of Iola, at the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, according to a media release from the KBI. Tennyson was arrested for aggravated indecent liberties with a child. In January, Tennyson had been newly hired as a deputy for the Allen County Sheriff’s Office. His employment was terminated Friday when the allegations became known.On Friday, around 3:30 p.m., the Hays Police Department requested KBI assistance to help locate a 15-year-old runaway. The juvenile had been missing since March 22. Hays police officers believed the teen was with Tennyson in Iola, Kansas. The Allen County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the situation at 4 p.m.&nbsp;They quickly located the juvenile at Tennyson’s residence, and placed her into protective custody.KBI agents gathered additional evidence in the case, and interviewed the parties involved. The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, the Iola Police Department, and the Ray County Missouri Sheriff’s Office also assisted in this investigation. After his arrest, Tennyson was booked into the Allen County Jail, but he will be housed at the Bourbon County Jail.

Kan. deputy accused of sex crimes following report of missing teen

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an alleged violent attack.

Just after 6:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a witness reported a domestic disturbance at the Roadway Inn, 429 West Diamond Drive in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman. A woman was reported screaming for help.

"It was reported that a man was breaking out a car window with a hammer," Feldman said. "He wanted the 42-year-old victim to exit her car.&nbsp; She refused, and he then went to his vehicle and got a hammer, then walked up and broke out the driver's door window and was supposed to have threatened to hit her with the hammer."

The victim from Winfield reported that the former boyfriend, later identified as 48-year-old Jay Weigel of Hays was following her around town until she stopped in the Rodeway Inn parking lot.

After Weigel demanded that the victim exit the car, she did and ran from the scene. Feldman said Weigel then allegedly slashed the victim's driver-side tire and stole her cell phone and wallet from the car.

"The damage to the car was valued at $200 and the missing items were valued at over $1,100," Feldman said.

Officers took the victim's report and then began looking for the assailant.&nbsp; Officer located Weigel early Thursday morning after a Salina resident called police to report someone following them in town.

After the resident described the car, officers then found the vehicle and discovered it was Weigel who had committed the alleged assault the previous evening.

Officers arrested Weigel without incident in the area of North College Avenue and West Elm Street and he is being held on requested charges for aggravated assault, criminal threat, vehicle burglary, theft and damage to property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711728062848.png" alt="Weigel photo Saline County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Weigel photo Saline County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an alleged violent attack.Just after 6:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a witness reported a domestic disturbance at the Roadway Inn, 429 West Diamond Drive in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman. A woman was reported screaming for help."It was reported that a man was breaking out a car window with a hammer," Feldman said. "He wanted the 42-year-old victim to exit her car.&nbsp; She refused, and he then went to his vehicle and got a hammer, then walked up and broke out the driver's door window and was supposed to have threatened to hit her with the hammer."The victim from Winfield reported that the former boyfriend, later identified as 48-year-old Jay Weigel of Hays was following her around town until she stopped in the Rodeway Inn parking lot.After Weigel demanded that the victim exit the car, she did and ran from the scene. Feldman said Weigel then allegedly slashed the victim's driver-side tire and stole her cell phone and wallet from the car."The damage to the car was valued at $200 and the missing items were valued at over $1,100," Feldman said.Officers took the victim's report and then began looking for the assailant.&nbsp; Officer located Weigel early Thursday morning after a Salina resident called police to report someone following them in town.After the resident described the car, officers then found the vehicle and discovered it was Weigel who had committed the alleged assault the previous evening.Officers arrested Weigel without incident in the area of North College Avenue and West Elm Street and he is being held on requested charges for aggravated assault, criminal threat, vehicle burglary, theft and damage to property.

Kansas man accused of hammer attack, theft involving ex-girlfriend

RILEY COUNTY —A Kansas man with a long history of crime is under investigation on new allegaions.

Just after 3p.m. Thursday, police arrested 41-year-old Wendell Parrish, of Manhattan in the 1000 block of South Seth Child Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

He was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for violation of a court order. The original charges in this matter are for battery on a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement and battery.

Parrish has been listed as a registered offender since August of 2013 for drug convictions in Riley County, according to the offender registry. He also has previous convictions for battery, domestic battery and violation of the offender registration, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He also was discipled over a dozen times while in prison, according to the department of corrections.

 &nbsp;Parrish was issued a total bond of $15,000 and was confined at the time of this report.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711721499359.png" alt="Parrish-photo Kansas Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Parrish-photo Kansas Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —A Kansas man with a long history of crime is under investigation on new allegaions.Just after 3p.m. Thursday, police arrested 41-year-old Wendell Parrish, of Manhattan in the 1000 block of South Seth Child Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.He was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for violation of a court order. The original charges in this matter are for battery on a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement and battery.Parrish has been listed as a registered offender since August of 2013 for drug convictions in Riley County, according to the offender registry. He also has previous convictions for battery, domestic battery and violation of the offender registration, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He also was discipled over a dozen times while in prison, according to the department of corrections. &nbsp;Parrish was issued a total bond of $15,000 and was confined at the time of this report.&nbsp;

Registered offender jailed for alleged battery on officer in Riley Co.

WASHINGTON – In a superseding indictment returned by a grand jury, a citizen of the Republic of Latvia is charged with crimes related to a years-long conspiracy to sell sophisticated avionics equipment to Russian companies, in violation of U.S. export laws. The defendant is the third to be arrested and charged in connection with the conspiracy led by a Kansas company and two U.S. nationals, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to the superseding indictment, Oleg Chistyakov, also known as Olegs Čitsjakovs, 55, conspired with U.S. citizens Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 60, Lawrence and Douglas Edward Robertson, 56, Olathe, Kansas, to facilitate the sale, repair and shipment of U.S. avionics equipment to customers in Russia and in other countries that operate Russian-built aircraft, including the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB). 

Chistyakov was arrested on March 19 near Riga, Latvia, and remains detained pending extradition proceedings. In December 2023, Buyanovsky&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/owner-kansas-company-pleads-guilty-crimes-related-scheme-illegally-export-us-avionics" target="_blank">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and consented to the forfeiture of over $450,000 worth of avionics equipment and a $50,000 personal forfeiture judgment.

“As alleged, Mr. Chistyakov facilitated hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit transactions to funnel sophisticated U.S. aerospace technology to companies in Russia,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This arrest is another example of the Justice Department’s unwavering mission to hold accountable those who enable Russian aggression, including those involved in facilitation networks that fuel the Russian war effort.”

“The Justice Department upholds the laws of the United States and prosecutes those who break them regardless of whether those individuals are on U.S. soil or the other side of the world,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. “Oleg Chistyakov’s arrest was only possible due to the assistance and cooperation of authorities in Latvia. This type of international cooperative effort makes it immensely challenging for those accused of committing crimes against the U.S. to find safe havens beyond reach of our judicial system.”

“The FBI and our partners continue to pursue anyone who aids Russia in its unjust and autocratic behavior or to violate export control laws or any other law for that matter,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Today’s indictment and forfeiture judgment should serve as a reminder that we will not tolerate attempts to transfer sensitive avionics equipment and technology to hostile nations.”

“It doesn't matter if you’re in Kansas or in Latvia — if you violate American law, you risk facing American justice,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce Matthew S. Axelrod for Export Enforcement. “We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners across the globe to pursue those who seek to send military-grade aerospace equipment to support the Russian military.”&nbsp;

According to court documents, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and despite additional U.S. economic countermeasures levied against Russia, Chistyakov and his conspirators continued to smuggle and export sophisticated and controlled avionics equipment to companies in Russia without the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce.&nbsp;

As further alleged, Chistyakov, while operating from Latvia, worked with Buyanovsky and Robertson through their U.S. company, KanRus Trading Company Inc. (KanRus), to circumvent U.S export laws by purchasing avionics equipment from U.S. companies for customers in Russia. Chistyakov allegedly acted as a broker for KanRus by soliciting quotes, negotiating prices and terms of delivery, and facilitating payments between KanRus and customers in Russia.&nbsp;

The superseding indictment details actions allegedly taken by Chistyakov and his conspirators to conceal their illegal activities including by creating false invoices, transshipping items through third-party countries, such as Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using bank accounts in third-party countries, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE, and exporting items to intermediary companies which then reexported the items to the ultimate end destinations.&nbsp;

On Dec. 6, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/about-bis/newsroom/press-releases/3390-press-release-12-5-entity-list-package-hans-de-geetere/file" target="_blank">added many of the entities and individuals involved in Chistyakov’s alleged illegal export scheme to the Commerce Department’s Entity List</a>&nbsp;as part of the U.S. government’s interagency efforts to dismantle Russian procurement networks designed to circumvent U.S. export controls and sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Entity List imposes specific license requirements on all listed individuals and entities.

Chistyakov is charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of violation of Export Control Reform Act, multiple counts of smuggling goods from the United States, conspiracy to commit international money laundering and two counts of international money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years 8inh prison for conspiracy, 20 years in prison for each Export Control count, 10 years in prison for each smuggling count and 20 years in prison for each money laundering count.

The FBI and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case, including participation in Latvia following Chistyakov’s arrest. Procedural actions were carried out in close cooperation with the State Security Service of the Republic of Latvia and assistance of the Prosecutor-General’s Office.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Adam Barry of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing valuable assistance.&nbsp;

The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

WASHINGTON – In a superseding indictment returned by a grand jury, a citizen of the Republic of Latvia is charged with crimes related to a years-long conspiracy to sell sophisticated avionics equipment to Russian companies, in violation of U.S. export laws. The defendant is the third to be arrested and charged in connection with the conspiracy led by a Kansas company and two U.S. nationals, according to the United State's Attorney.According to the superseding indictment, Oleg Chistyakov, also known as Olegs Čitsjakovs, 55, conspired with U.S. citizens Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 60, Lawrence and Douglas Edward Robertson, 56, Olathe, Kansas, to facilitate the sale, repair and shipment of U.S. avionics equipment to customers in Russia and in other countries that operate Russian-built aircraft, including the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB). Chistyakov was arrested on March 19 near Riga, Latvia, and remains detained pending extradition proceedings. In December 2023, Buyanovsky&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/owner-kansas-company-pleads-guilty-crimes-related-scheme-illegally-export-us-avionics" target="_blank">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and consented to the forfeiture of over $450,000 worth of avionics equipment and a $50,000 personal forfeiture judgment.“As alleged, Mr. Chistyakov facilitated hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit transactions to funnel sophisticated U.S. aerospace technology to companies in Russia,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This arrest is another example of the Justice Department’s unwavering mission to hold accountable those who enable Russian aggression, including those involved in facilitation networks that fuel the Russian war effort.”“The Justice Department upholds the laws of the United States and prosecutes those who break them regardless of whether those individuals are on U.S. soil or the other side of the world,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. “Oleg Chistyakov’s arrest was only possible due to the assistance and cooperation of authorities in Latvia. This type of international cooperative effort makes it immensely challenging for those accused of committing crimes against the U.S. to find safe havens beyond reach of our judicial system.”“The FBI and our partners continue to pursue anyone who aids Russia in its unjust and autocratic behavior or to violate export control laws or any other law for that matter,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Today’s indictment and forfeiture judgment should serve as a reminder that we will not tolerate attempts to transfer sensitive avionics equipment and technology to hostile nations.”“It doesn't matter if you’re in Kansas or in Latvia — if you violate American law, you risk facing American justice,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce Matthew S. Axelrod for Export Enforcement. “We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners across the globe to pursue those who seek to send military-grade aerospace equipment to support the Russian military.”&nbsp;According to court documents, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and despite additional U.S. economic countermeasures levied against Russia, Chistyakov and his conspirators continued to smuggle and export sophisticated and controlled avionics equipment to companies in Russia without the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce.&nbsp;As further alleged, Chistyakov, while operating from Latvia, worked with Buyanovsky and Robertson through their U.S. company, KanRus Trading Company Inc. (KanRus), to circumvent U.S export laws by purchasing avionics equipment from U.S. companies for customers in Russia. Chistyakov allegedly acted as a broker for KanRus by soliciting quotes, negotiating prices and terms of delivery, and facilitating payments between KanRus and customers in Russia.&nbsp;The superseding indictment details actions allegedly taken by Chistyakov and his conspirators to conceal their illegal activities including by creating false invoices, transshipping items through third-party countries, such as Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using bank accounts in third-party countries, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE, and exporting items to intermediary companies which then reexported the items to the ultimate end destinations.&nbsp;On Dec. 6, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/about-bis/newsroom/press-releases/3390-press-release-12-5-entity-list-package-hans-de-geetere/file" target="_blank">added many of the entities and individuals involved in Chistyakov’s alleged illegal export scheme to the Commerce Department’s Entity List</a>&nbsp;as part of the U.S. government’s interagency efforts to dismantle Russian procurement networks designed to circumvent U.S. export controls and sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Entity List imposes specific license requirements on all listed individuals and entities.Chistyakov is charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of violation of Export Control Reform Act, multiple counts of smuggling goods from the United States, conspiracy to commit international money laundering and two counts of international money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years 8inh prison for conspiracy, 20 years in prison for each Export Control count, 10 years in prison for each smuggling count and 20 years in prison for each money laundering count.The FBI and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case, including participation in Latvia following Chistyakov’s arrest. Procedural actions were carried out in close cooperation with the State Security Service of the Republic of Latvia and assistance of the Prosecutor-General’s Office.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Adam Barry of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing valuable assistance.&nbsp;The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

Another arrest in Kan. man's illegal attempt to sell equipment to Russia

NEW YORK (AP) — Crypto entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sam-bankman-fried">Sam Bankman-Fried</a>&nbsp;was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud on hundreds of thousands of customers that unraveled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.

U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan delivered a blistering analysis of Bankman-Fried and his crimes before announcing a sentence that was half of what prosecutors sought and less than a quarter of the 105 years recommended by the court's Probation officers.

“There is absolutely no doubt that Mr. Bankman-Fried’s name right now is pretty much mud around the world,” Kaplan said of the 32-year-old man who once seemed atop the cryptocurrency world before his businesses collapsed in November 2022, leaving customers, investors and lenders short over $11 billion, which the judge ordered him to forfeit.

He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-crypto-bitcoin-baa4c94f2c4237c860475ff92e6bcf42">convicted in November</a>&nbsp;of fraud and conspiracy — a dramatic fall from a crest of success that included a Super Bowl advertisement and celebrity endorsements from stars like quarterback Tom Brady, basketball star Stephen Curry and comedian Larry David.

Kaplan imposed the sentence in the same Manhattan courtroom where, four months ago, Bankman-Fried testified that his intention had been to revolutionize the emerging cryptocurrency market with his innovative and altruistic ideas, not to steal. The judge said Bankman-Fried repeatedly committed perjury when he told lies from the witness stand.

Kaplan said the sentence reflected “that there is a risk that this man will be in position to do something very bad in the future. And it’s not a trivial risk at all.” He added that it was “for the purpose of disabling him to the extent that can appropriately be done for a significant period of time.”

Kaplan said he also would advise the Federal Bureau of Prisons to send Bankman-Fried to a medium-security prison near San Francisco because his notoriety, his association with vast wealth, his autism and social awkwardness are likely to make him especially vulnerable at a high-security facility.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Roos had recommended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-court-ftx-21b1fd99ac841d7fe90b90c96c3a9a5d">a prison sentence</a>&nbsp;of 40 to 50 years, saying it was the only way to ensure “the defendant doesn't do it again.”

“The defendant victimized tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years. He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him; he lied to investors; he sent fabricated documents to lenders; he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system; and he bribed foreign officials. Each of these crimes is worthy of a lengthy sentence,” prosecutors had said in a court filing.

Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried misappropriated billions of dollars to fuel his quest for influence and dominance in the new industry, and had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankmanfried-court-ftx-27f8a623fdc0c9e56e56f2b23e298a1e">illegally used money</a>&nbsp;from FTX depositors to cover his expenses, which included purchasing luxury properties in the Caribbean, bribes to Chinese officials and private planes.

Kaplan agreed with prosecutors Thursday that Bankman-Fried should not get leniency just because some investors and customers might get some of their losses back. He called the argument “logically flawed” and “speculative.” He said customers lost about $8 billion, investors lost $1.7 billion and lenders were shorted by $1.3 billion.

Given a chance to speak, Bankman-Fried stood and apologized in a rambling statement, saying: “A lot of people feel really let down. And they were very let down. And I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry about what happened at every stage.”

He added, “My useful life is probably over. It’s been over for a while now, from before my arrest.”

Bankman-Fried, wearing his khaki-colored prison uniform and chained at the ankles, seemed to briefly get emotional as he spoke for about 20 minutes, expressing regret about “a lot of mistakes” but casting some of the blame onto others. His trademark messy and bushy hair had returned from the trimmer look he displayed at trial.

The judge later criticized those remarks, saying he expressed “never a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes.”

Defense lawyer Marc Mukasey said his client was misunderstood.

“Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people,” Mukasey said. “Sam Bankman-Fried doesn’t make decisions with malice in his heart. He makes decisions with math in his head.”

Bankman-Fried’s attorneys, friends and family&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-court-ftx-f6132dae6689b20f020ee3256dd4dc08">had urged leniency</a>, saying he was unlikely to re-offend again. They also said FTX's investors have largely recovered their funds — a claim disputed by bankruptcy lawyers, FTX and its creditors.

“Mr. Bankman-Fried continues to live a life of delusion,” wrote John Ray, the CEO of FTX who has been cleaning up the bankrupt company. “The ‘business’ he left on November 11, 2022 was neither solvent nor safe.”

Two weeks ago, Mukasey attacked a probation office recommendation of 105 years in prison, saying a sentence of that length would be “grotesque” and “barbaric.”

He urged the judge to sentence Bankman-Fried to a term of five to 6 1/2 years in prison, which Mukasey said was a fair reading of federal sentencing guidelines.

Bankman-Fried was worth billions of dollars on paper as the co-founder and CEO of FTX, which was the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world at one time.

FTX allowed investors to buy dozens of virtual currencies, from Bitcoin to more obscure ones like Shiba Inu Coin. Flush with billions of dollars of investors’ cash, Bankman-Fried took out a Super Bowl advertisement to promote his business and bought the naming rights to an arena in Miami.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankmanfried-cryptocurrencies-bitcoin-regulation-congress-182d750805af658dd809f044b86f6242">the collapse of cryptocurrency prices</a>&nbsp;in 2022 took its toll on FTX, and ultimately led to its downfall. FTX’s hedge fund affiliate, known as Alameda Research, had bought billions of dollars of various crypto investments that lost considerable amounts of value in 2022. Bankman-Fried tried to plug the holes in Alameda’s balance sheet with FTX customer funds.

Three other people from Bankman-Fried’s inner circle pleaded guilty to related crimes and testified at his trial.

The biggest name among the three was Caroline Ellison, once the girlfriend of Bankman-Fried. Ellison described Bankman-Fried as a calculating individual who knew that he was likely committing crimes when he directed the use of customer funds. Two other onetime friends of Bankman-Fried, Gary Wang and Nishad Singh, also testified they felt they were directed by Bankman-Fried to commit fraud.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680015507609.png" alt="FILE - FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Federal court on July 26, 2023, in New York. The former crypto mogul faces the potential of decades in prison when he is sentenced Thursday, March 28, 2024, for his role in the 2022 collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for trading digital currency. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Federal court on July 26, 2023, in New York. The former crypto mogul faces the potential of decades in prison when he is sentenced Thursday, March 28, 2024, for his role in the 2022 collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for trading digital currency. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Crypto entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sam-bankman-fried">Sam Bankman-Fried</a>&nbsp;was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud on hundreds of thousands of customers that unraveled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan delivered a blistering analysis of Bankman-Fried and his crimes before announcing a sentence that was half of what prosecutors sought and less than a quarter of the 105 years recommended by the court's Probation officers.“There is absolutely no doubt that Mr. Bankman-Fried’s name right now is pretty much mud around the world,” Kaplan said of the 32-year-old man who once seemed atop the cryptocurrency world before his businesses collapsed in November 2022, leaving customers, investors and lenders short over $11 billion, which the judge ordered him to forfeit.He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-crypto-bitcoin-baa4c94f2c4237c860475ff92e6bcf42">convicted in November</a>&nbsp;of fraud and conspiracy — a dramatic fall from a crest of success that included a Super Bowl advertisement and celebrity endorsements from stars like quarterback Tom Brady, basketball star Stephen Curry and comedian Larry David.Kaplan imposed the sentence in the same Manhattan courtroom where, four months ago, Bankman-Fried testified that his intention had been to revolutionize the emerging cryptocurrency market with his innovative and altruistic ideas, not to steal. The judge said Bankman-Fried repeatedly committed perjury when he told lies from the witness stand.Kaplan said the sentence reflected “that there is a risk that this man will be in position to do something very bad in the future. And it’s not a trivial risk at all.” He added that it was “for the purpose of disabling him to the extent that can appropriately be done for a significant period of time.”Kaplan said he also would advise the Federal Bureau of Prisons to send Bankman-Fried to a medium-security prison near San Francisco because his notoriety, his association with vast wealth, his autism and social awkwardness are likely to make him especially vulnerable at a high-security facility.Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Roos had recommended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-court-ftx-21b1fd99ac841d7fe90b90c96c3a9a5d">a prison sentence</a>&nbsp;of 40 to 50 years, saying it was the only way to ensure “the defendant doesn't do it again.”“The defendant victimized tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years. He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him; he lied to investors; he sent fabricated documents to lenders; he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system; and he bribed foreign officials. Each of these crimes is worthy of a lengthy sentence,” prosecutors had said in a court filing.Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried misappropriated billions of dollars to fuel his quest for influence and dominance in the new industry, and had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankmanfried-court-ftx-27f8a623fdc0c9e56e56f2b23e298a1e">illegally used money</a>&nbsp;from FTX depositors to cover his expenses, which included purchasing luxury properties in the Caribbean, bribes to Chinese officials and private planes.Kaplan agreed with prosecutors Thursday that Bankman-Fried should not get leniency just because some investors and customers might get some of their losses back. He called the argument “logically flawed” and “speculative.” He said customers lost about $8 billion, investors lost $1.7 billion and lenders were shorted by $1.3 billion.Given a chance to speak, Bankman-Fried stood and apologized in a rambling statement, saying: “A lot of people feel really let down. And they were very let down. And I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry about what happened at every stage.”He added, “My useful life is probably over. It’s been over for a while now, from before my arrest.”Bankman-Fried, wearing his khaki-colored prison uniform and chained at the ankles, seemed to briefly get emotional as he spoke for about 20 minutes, expressing regret about “a lot of mistakes” but casting some of the blame onto others. His trademark messy and bushy hair had returned from the trimmer look he displayed at trial.The judge later criticized those remarks, saying he expressed “never a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes.”Defense lawyer Marc Mukasey said his client was misunderstood.“Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people,” Mukasey said. “Sam Bankman-Fried doesn’t make decisions with malice in his heart. He makes decisions with math in his head.”Bankman-Fried’s attorneys, friends and family&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-court-ftx-f6132dae6689b20f020ee3256dd4dc08">had urged leniency</a>, saying he was unlikely to re-offend again. They also said FTX's investors have largely recovered their funds — a claim disputed by bankruptcy lawyers, FTX and its creditors.“Mr. Bankman-Fried continues to live a life of delusion,” wrote John Ray, the CEO of FTX who has been cleaning up the bankrupt company. “The ‘business’ he left on November 11, 2022 was neither solvent nor safe.”Two weeks ago, Mukasey attacked a probation office recommendation of 105 years in prison, saying a sentence of that length would be “grotesque” and “barbaric.”He urged the judge to sentence Bankman-Fried to a term of five to 6 1/2 years in prison, which Mukasey said was a fair reading of federal sentencing guidelines.Bankman-Fried was worth billions of dollars on paper as the co-founder and CEO of FTX, which was the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world at one time.FTX allowed investors to buy dozens of virtual currencies, from Bitcoin to more obscure ones like Shiba Inu Coin. Flush with billions of dollars of investors’ cash, Bankman-Fried took out a Super Bowl advertisement to promote his business and bought the naming rights to an arena in Miami.But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankmanfried-cryptocurrencies-bitcoin-regulation-congress-182d750805af658dd809f044b86f6242">the collapse of cryptocurrency prices</a>&nbsp;in 2022 took its toll on FTX, and ultimately led to its downfall. FTX’s hedge fund affiliate, known as Alameda Research, had bought billions of dollars of various crypto investments that lost considerable amounts of value in 2022. Bankman-Fried tried to plug the holes in Alameda’s balance sheet with FTX customer funds.Three other people from Bankman-Fried’s inner circle pleaded guilty to related crimes and testified at his trial.The biggest name among the three was Caroline Ellison, once the girlfriend of Bankman-Fried. Ellison described Bankman-Fried as a calculating individual who knew that he was likely committing crimes when he directed the use of customer funds. Two other onetime friends of Bankman-Fried, Gary Wang and Nishad Singh, also testified they felt they were directed by Bankman-Fried to commit fraud.

Penthouse to prison: Fallen 'King of crypto' sentenced, shows no remorse

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.

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/2024/3/1711642627714.jpeg" alt="Michael Mayhue, Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of a controlled substance, arrested 03/27" />
 <figcaption>Michael Mayhue, Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of a controlled substance, arrested 03/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711642646290.jpeg" alt="Devontae Hugley, Distribute marijuana, 25- &lt;450 grams, Aggravated endangering a child, Reckless situation to child&lt;18, Taxation, Drugs, No drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction (value &lt;$5,000), Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance, Distribute opiate/opium/narcotic/stimulant/heroin (dosage &gt;1,000 units), arrested 03/27" />
 <figcaption>Devontae Hugley, Distribute marijuana, 25- &lt;450 grams, Aggravated endangering a child, Reckless situation to child&lt;18, Taxation, Drugs, No drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction (value &lt;$5,000), Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance, Distribute opiate/opium/narcotic/stimulant/heroin (dosage &gt;1,000 units), arrested 03/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711642656921.jpeg" alt="Tashayla Gross, Distribution of controlled substance, Cause great bodily harm, Distribution of controlled substance, Cause great bodily harm, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 03/27" />
 <figcaption>Tashayla Gross, Distribution of controlled substance, Cause great bodily harm, Distribution of controlled substance, Cause great bodily harm, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 03/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711642669626.jpeg" alt="Keyounce Sherman, Aggravated endangering a child, Reckless situation to child&lt;18,&nbsp;Distribute marijuana, 25- &lt;450 grams, Taxation, Drugs, No drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction (value &lt;$5,000), Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance, Distribute opiate/opium/narcotic/stimulant/heroin (dosage &gt;1,000 units), arrested 03/27" />
 <figcaption>Keyounce Sherman, Aggravated endangering a child, Reckless situation to child&lt;18,&nbsp;Distribute marijuana, 25- &lt;450 grams, Taxation, Drugs, No drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction (value &lt;$5,000), Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance, Distribute opiate/opium/narcotic/stimulant/heroin (dosage &gt;1,000 units), arrested 03/27</figcaption>
 </figure>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.

Geary County Booking Photos March 28

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged criminal damage to property in Manhattan.

Just before 2p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of criminal damage to property in the 1800 block of College Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;Via Christi reported a 32-year-old male patient in the Emergency Department damaged a hospital bed, chair, and window. 

 Total loss is estimated to be $5,100. Donovan Nash of Manhattan was arrested in conjunction with this report.  His total bond was set at $4,000 and he was confined at the time of this report.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged criminal damage to property in Manhattan.Just before 2p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of criminal damage to property in the 1800 block of College Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;Via Christi reported a 32-year-old male patient in the Emergency Department damaged a hospital bed, chair, and window. Total loss is estimated to be $5,100. Donovan Nash of Manhattan was arrested in conjunction with this report. His total bond was set at $4,000 and he was confined at the time of this report.

Manhattan man accused of damaging hospital bed, chair and window

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas City area shooting have made an arrest.

Just&nbsp;after 8 p.m. Wednesday police responded to a report of shots fired in the 7700 block of Raytown Road, according to a media release.

First responders at Raytown Village Apartments, 7708 Raytown Road, found two people with gunshot wounds. EMS transported the victims to a local hospital. Police took a suspect into custody.

Police released no additional details on the condition of the victims or possible charges for the suspect.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas City area shooting have made an arrest.Just&nbsp;after 8 p.m. Wednesday police responded to a report of shots fired in the 7700 block of Raytown Road, according to a media release.First responders at Raytown Village Apartments, 7708 Raytown Road, found two people with gunshot wounds. EMS transported the victims to a local hospital. Police took a suspect into custody.Police released no additional details on the condition of the victims or possible charges for the suspect.

Suspect arrested after 2 shot at KC area apartment complex 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital on March 21, report 50-year-old Lyle W. Garrett died of his injuries.

Just before 1p.m. Thursday, police responded to a request for medical attention in the 200 Block of Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders found Garrett with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a hospital in critical condition. He died the following day.

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department's Major Case unit is in charge of the investigation. Police have not reported an arrest or possible suspect information.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital on March 21, report 50-year-old Lyle W. Garrett died of his injuries.Just before 1p.m. Thursday, police responded to a request for medical attention in the 200 Block of Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.First responders found Garrett with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a hospital in critical condition. He died the following day.The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department's Major Case unit is in charge of the investigation. Police have not reported an arrest or possible suspect information.

50-year-old Kansas man injured in shooting has died

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;three individuals for their involvement in an alleged aggravated assault.

On March 24, police were dispatched to J&amp;J Mobile Mechanic,&nbsp;917 Herald Avenue in Garden City for a possible aggravated assault, according to a media release.

The investigation revealed that four juveniles attempted to pull a prank on an employee. After the prank, the employee and two other staff allegedly confronted the juveniles with firearms, took them into the business and held them at gunpoint. 

The employees also allegedly took personal belongings of the juveniles and made several threats before letting them go. Through further investigation&nbsp;Jazmin Loya, 25,&nbsp; Jesus Loya, 24 and Jose Bricullett, 24, all of Garden City were identified as suspects.

On&nbsp; March 25, Jazmin Loya and Bricullett were arrested and booked into the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery, Criminal Threat, and Aggravated Battery.

On Tuesday, Jesus Loya was arrested and booked into the Finney County Jail on requested charges&nbsp; Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery, Criminal Threat, Aggravated Battery, and Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness or Victim.

There were no injuries from the incident, according to police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711552818945.png" alt="Bricullett-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Bricullett-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;three individuals for their involvement in an alleged aggravated assault.On March 24, police were dispatched to J&amp;J Mobile Mechanic,&nbsp;917 Herald Avenue in Garden City for a possible aggravated assault, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711552727653.png" alt="Loya-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Loya-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation revealed that four juveniles attempted to pull a prank on an employee. After the prank, the employee and two other staff allegedly confronted the juveniles with firearms, took them into the business and held them at gunpoint. The employees also allegedly took personal belongings of the juveniles and made several threats before letting them go. Through further investigation&nbsp;Jazmin Loya, 25,&nbsp; Jesus Loya, 24 and Jose Bricullett, 24, all of Garden City were identified as suspects.On&nbsp; March 25, Jazmin Loya and Bricullett were arrested and booked into the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery, Criminal Threat, and Aggravated Battery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711633129829.png" alt="Loya-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Loya-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday, Jesus Loya was arrested and booked into the Finney County Jail on requested charges&nbsp; Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery, Criminal Threat, Aggravated Battery, and Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness or Victim.There were no injuries from the incident, according to police.

3 jailed in SW Kansas after juvenile attempts alleged prank

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.

On March 21, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served search warrants in 3300 Block of SW Mayo Avenue in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.

As a result police arrested 33-year-old Donald Davis and 54-year-old Anna Garza both of Topeka.

Davis was booked on requested charges of&nbsp; Distribution of fentanyl, Distribution of a cocaine, Distribution of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Unlawful use of a telecommunication facility, Felon in possession of a firearm, Drug tax stamp., Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction,&nbsp; Battery on a law enforcement officer, Interference with law enforcement and Driving on a suspended driver's license.

Garza was booked on requested charges of Distribution of fentanyl,&nbsp;&nbsp;Distribution of a cocaine,&nbsp;Distribution of marijuana,&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Possession of drug paraphernalia,&nbsp; Drug tax stamp and Possession of marijuana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711200254777.png" alt="Davis-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Davis-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.On March 21, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served search warrants in 3300 Block of SW Mayo Avenue in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.As a result police arrested 33-year-old Donald Davis and 54-year-old Anna Garza both of Topeka.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711200190986.png" alt="Garza-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Garza-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Davis was booked on requested charges of&nbsp; Distribution of fentanyl, Distribution of a cocaine, Distribution of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Unlawful use of a telecommunication facility, Felon in possession of a firearm, Drug tax stamp., Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction,&nbsp; Battery on a law enforcement officer, Interference with law enforcement and Driving on a suspended driver's license.Garza was booked on requested charges of Distribution of fentanyl,&nbsp;&nbsp;Distribution of a cocaine,&nbsp;Distribution of marijuana,&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Possession of drug paraphernalia,&nbsp; Drug tax stamp and Possession of marijuana.

Two accused of selling fentanyl and cocaine from Kan. home

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Jonathan Burns, Possession of THC, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Criminal deprivation of property, Domestic battery, arrested 03/26

Tyrel Denico, Probation violation (Three counts), arrested 03/26

Bruce Sparks, Outside warrant, arrested 03/26

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/2024/3/1711549872498.jpeg" alt="Marquetta Williams,&nbsp;Possession of THC, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Domestic battery, arrested 03/26" />
 <figcaption>Marquetta Williams,&nbsp;Possession of THC, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Domestic battery, arrested 03/26</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711549930792.jpeg" alt="Christopher Hill, Failure to appear, arrested 03/26" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Hill, Failure to appear, arrested 03/26</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711549962370.jpeg" alt="Zachary Olson, Possession of controlled substance, Failure to appear, arrested 03/26" />
 <figcaption>Zachary Olson, Possession of controlled substance, Failure to appear, arrested 03/26</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Jonathan Burns, Possession of THC, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Criminal deprivation of property, Domestic battery, arrested 03/26Tyrel Denico, Probation violation (Three counts), arrested 03/26Bruce Sparks, Outside warrant, arrested 03/26Recent 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 March 27

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an illegal immigrant on accusations after a traffic stop.

Just before 10:30p.m. March 22,&nbsp;a sheriff's deputy initiated a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 36 in Brown County a vehicle traveling 77mph in a 65mph zone, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

 Upon contact with the driver identified as 26-year-old Wilmar Aguilar of Denver Colorado, the deputy detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.&nbsp; 

Aguilar could not speak English so the deputy used a translator phone to effectively communicate and it was learned that she was not a US citizen and therefore did not possess a valid drivers license.&nbsp;

 Aguilar was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana,Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving Without License.&nbsp; The deputy was notified that prior to his stop, this vehicle was called in as a reckless driver. ICE and Department of Homeland Security were notified and the sheriff's office was&nbsp; advised that no detainer will be placed on Aguilar.&nbsp; She is no longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711396900733.png" alt="Aguilar-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Aguilar-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an illegal immigrant on accusations after a traffic stop.Just before 10:30p.m. March 22,&nbsp;a sheriff's deputy initiated a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 36 in Brown County a vehicle traveling 77mph in a 65mph zone, according to Sheriff John Merchant. Upon contact with the driver identified as 26-year-old Wilmar Aguilar of Denver Colorado, the deputy detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.&nbsp; Aguilar could not speak English so the deputy used a translator phone to effectively communicate and it was learned that she was not a US citizen and therefore did not possess a valid drivers license.&nbsp; Aguilar was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana,Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving Without License.&nbsp; The deputy was notified that prior to his stop, this vehicle was called in as a reckless driver. ICE and Department of Homeland Security were notified and the sheriff's office was&nbsp; advised that no detainer will be placed on Aguilar.&nbsp; She is no longer in custody.

ICE advises sheriff to release illegal alien after Kan. drug arrest

Dustin Smith, Battery, Physical contact in rude, insulting, angry manner, arrested 03/25

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/2024/3/1711460309886.jpeg" alt="Justin Staley, Failure to appear, arrested 03/25" />
 <figcaption>Justin Staley, Failure to appear, arrested 03/25</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711460320471.jpeg" alt="Edward Wright,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 03/25" />
 <figcaption>Edward Wright,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 03/25</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711460338839.jpeg" alt="Clyde Hubbard, DUI-Liquor or drugs, arrested 03/26" />
 <figcaption>Clyde Hubbard, DUI-Liquor or drugs, arrested 03/26</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Dustin Smith, Battery, Physical contact in rude, insulting, angry manner, arrested 03/25Recent 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 March 26

Gregory Taylor, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 03/23

Dontavia Scott, Criminal deprivation of property, arrested 03/23

Justin Higginbotham, Domestic battery, arrested 03/23

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/2024/3/1711388352464.jpeg" alt="Christopher Bolger, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, arrested 03/23" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Bolger, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, arrested 03/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711388465141.jpeg" alt="Erick Smith, Failure to appear, arrested 03/23" />
 <figcaption>Erick Smith, Failure to appear, arrested 03/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711388495391.jpeg" alt="Angel Rosa Collazo, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Taxation, drugs, - No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Distribute opiate/opium/narcotic/certain stimulant/heroin, Dosage &gt; 1,000 units, arrested 03/23" />
 <figcaption>Angel Rosa Collazo, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Taxation, drugs, - No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Distribute opiate/opium/narcotic/certain stimulant/heroin, Dosage &gt; 1,000 units, arrested 03/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711391285321.jpeg" alt="Steven Watt, Endangering a child, Unlawful damage to property, Domestic battery, arrested 03/24" />
 <figcaption>Steven Watt, Endangering a child, Unlawful damage to property, Domestic battery, arrested 03/24</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711391334148.jpeg" alt="Jacob Klehn, DUI-Liquor or drugs, arrested 03/24" />
 <figcaption>Jacob Klehn, DUI-Liquor or drugs, arrested 03/24</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711391376517.jpeg" alt="Joseph Guerrier, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 03/24" />
 <figcaption>Joseph Guerrier, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 03/24</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711391420128.jpeg" alt="Allyssa Bailey, Probation violation, arrested 03/24" />
 <figcaption>Allyssa Bailey, Probation violation, arrested 03/24</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Gregory Taylor, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 03/23Dontavia Scott, Criminal deprivation of property, arrested 03/23Justin Higginbotham, Domestic battery, arrested 03/23Recent 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 March 23-25

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.

Just after 11a.m. March 22, a&nbsp; Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on the 2012 Toyota Camry near 142nd and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp;During the traffic stop, the deputy seized items believed to be drug contraband.  The driver, Lora Lee Longstaff, 56, of Topeka, was arrested, transported to the Jackson County Jai and booked into the Jail on requested charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while suspended.&nbsp; Additional substances were seized and awaiting testing; therefore, additional charges may occur, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711199824111.png" alt="Longstaff-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Longstaff-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.Just after 11a.m. March 22, a&nbsp; Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on the 2012 Toyota Camry near 142nd and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;During the traffic stop, the deputy seized items believed to be drug contraband. The driver, Lora Lee Longstaff, 56, of Topeka, was arrested, transported to the Jackson County Jai and booked into the Jail on requested charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while suspended.&nbsp; Additional substances were seized and awaiting testing; therefore, additional charges may occur, according to Morse.

Kansas sheriff investigating drugs found in woman's car

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man was convicted in federal court Friday for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and of illegally possessing firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.

Edgar A. Mejia, 49, was found guilty by a jury of one count each of conspiracy to distribute heroin and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

On Oct. 10, 2022, law enforcement officers searched a 2000 Coachman recreational vehicle that belonged to Mejia. At the time of the search, Mejia was in custody in Oklahoma following his arrest for drug trafficking. Investigators in Oklahoma received information that Mejia had additional drugs and firearms hidden in his Coachman RV, and notified local authorities.

Officers located Mejia’s RV parked next to an abandoned residence in the 2300 block of Drury Avenue in Kansas City. Investigators searched the RV and found, hidden behind a wall in the kitchen, 541 grams of heroin, a Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm semi-automatic handgun, an American Tactical AR-15-style rifle, and ammunition.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately three and a half hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, ending a trial that began Wednesday, March 20.

Mejia previously pleaded guilty to one count of possessing the heroin inside the RV with the intent to distribute it and one count of being a felon in possession of the firearms recovered from the RV.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Mejia has two prior state felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and prior federal felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man was convicted in federal court Friday for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and of illegally possessing firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.Edgar A. Mejia, 49, was found guilty by a jury of one count each of conspiracy to distribute heroin and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.On Oct. 10, 2022, law enforcement officers searched a 2000 Coachman recreational vehicle that belonged to Mejia. At the time of the search, Mejia was in custody in Oklahoma following his arrest for drug trafficking. Investigators in Oklahoma received information that Mejia had additional drugs and firearms hidden in his Coachman RV, and notified local authorities.Officers located Mejia’s RV parked next to an abandoned residence in the 2300 block of Drury Avenue in Kansas City. Investigators searched the RV and found, hidden behind a wall in the kitchen, 541 grams of heroin, a Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm semi-automatic handgun, an American Tactical AR-15-style rifle, and ammunition.Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately three and a half hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, ending a trial that began Wednesday, March 20.Mejia previously pleaded guilty to one count of possessing the heroin inside the RV with the intent to distribute it and one count of being a felon in possession of the firearms recovered from the RV.Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Mejia has two prior state felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and prior federal felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Police found heroin and guns hidden in KC man's recreational vehicle

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two recent U.S. Supreme Court actions have opened the door to a new legal frontier in which local and state officials can be disqualified from office for life for engaging in “insurrection" or providing “aid and comfort” to enemies of the Constitution, based on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-79373b5043976588b599fc00ede049e8">a post-Civil War era addition to</a>&nbsp;the nation's foundational legal document and how the courts interpret it.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Monday rejected an appeal from a former New Mexico county commissioner who was kicked out of office after he was convicted of trespassing during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The state judge who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-government-and-politics-5e2fd96d5f698017b974f878398578c8">barred him from office</a>&nbsp;did so on the grounds that his actions violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was added to the Constitution in 1868 to prevent Confederates from returning to government.

The move came on the heels of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-insurrection-election-colorado-51e79c0f03013034c8a042cb278b6446">expedited high-court ruling</a>&nbsp;that Section 3 can't be used against federal officials or candidates until Congress writes a law outlining procedures to do so. That includes former President Donald Trump, the target of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-supreme-court-colorado-2b9d5b628cb2779fc84212cdc651e4e7">a national campaign</a>&nbsp;to end his bid to return to the White House via the 14th Amendment.

But the court's ruling in the Trump case explicitly said the provision could still be used against state and local officials.

Taken together, the actions herald a new legal landscape as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-2024-election-ballot-9c5f79203109ba221b35a48e708ad725">liberal groups</a>&nbsp;that pushed the issue of Trump's disqualification to the Supreme Court reboot efforts to target state and local officials linked to Jan. 6.

“This is a bit of returning to the course we expected to be following, which was holding individuals accountable, who are low-level officials, who still broke their oath by coming to D.C., engaging in insurrection,” said Stuart McPhail, an attorney with Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning group whose lawsuit against Trump ended up at the Supreme Court.

Ron Fein, legal director of Free Speech For People, which brought several other actions seeking to disqualify Trump and Republican members of Congress for their role in the Capitol attack, wouldn't comment on his group's plans. But, he said, one legal fact remains clear.

“Section 3 continues to be a viable way of protecting against insurrectionists in state and local government,” Fein said.

CREW, which brought the lawsuit against Trump’s candidacy that landed at the Supreme Court, has identified state lawmakers it believes might be vulnerable to challenges under Section 3. It already has succeeded in one case, brought against the local official in New Mexico.

Otero County Commissioner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-new-mexico-state-government-donald-trump-santa-fe-5a4bde1a89344a0eb11a0a1d58a2100d">Couy Griffin,</a>&nbsp;a founder of the promotional group Cowboys for Trump, is the only elected official thus far to be banned from office in connection with the Capitol attack, which disrupted Congress as it was trying to certify Joe Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-claims-biden-won-explained-bd53b14ce871412b462cb3fe2c563f18">2020 electoral victory</a>&nbsp;over Trump.

The lawsuit against him cited his violation of Section 3, which prohibits anyone who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and then “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against it or gave “aid and comfort” to its enemies, from holding future office.

McPhail says there is a new sense of urgency to take action under that clause against state or local officials linked to Jan. 6 — before they run for federal office and can’t be sidelined.

“It does create this incentive to bring cases from low-level officials now because then you can actually win them and get some kind of relief in judgments, whereas if you wait, you may have lost the opportunity,” he said.

Based on the Supreme Court's ruling in the Trump disqualification case, a state or local official removed under Section 3 could still hold federal office, all the way up to president, unless Congress acted.

Griffin said his disqualification was politically motivated. He and his defense attorney said Monday’s dismissal by the Supreme Court holds ominous implications, creating a pathway for partisan actors to harness Section 3 of the 14th Amendment in unpredictable ways in the future.

“All you have to do is go to a really friendly county, with a good friendly judge that’s politically on your side, and then you get rid of your opposition,” said Peter Ticktin, Griffin's attorney in the appeal to the Supreme Court.

Derek Muller, a Notre Dame law professor, said he wouldn't be surprised if Section 3 litigation eventually targets people for reasons well beyond Jan. 6.

“I don't know how widespread it's going to be,” he said. “I'm sure people are going to start thinking creatively about what it means — if you're supporting, Hamas, the Taliban, (Black Lives Matter).”

Muller added that the court system is well-equipped to sort out frivolous uses of Section 3, just as it does in other cases of ballot challenges: “In most of these cases, I think it won't pass the initial motion to dismiss.”

The bigger question, he said, is how do courts address issues that the Supreme Court dodged in its ruling on the Trump case: What constitutes an insurrection under Section 3? How do First Amendment rights and other constitutional guarantees interact with its provisions?

In Griffin's case, New Mexico Judge Francis Mathew found that Griffin aided an insurrection without engaging in violence, contributing to a delay in Congress’ certification of the presidential election.

He ruled that Griffin spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">lies about the 2020 election being stolen</a>&nbsp;from Trump in a series of speeches during rallies held across the country, calling on crowds to go with him to Washington on Jan. 6 and join the “war” over the presidential election results.

“Knowledgeable 19th century Americans including Section 3’s framers would have regarded the events of Jan. 6, and the surrounding planning, mobilization and incitement, as an insurrection,” Mathew ruled. “Mr. Griffin also incited, encouraged, and helped normalize the violence on January 6.”

Griffin, a Republican, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-new-mexico-riots-presidential-elections-7cf8b8a96a39bde8f6966e47cc37ff46">convicted separately</a>&nbsp;in federal court of entering a restricted area on the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 and received a 14-day prison sentence. The sentence was offset by time served after his arrest in Washington, where he had returned to protest Biden’s 2021 inauguration. That conviction is under appeal, but is unlikely to influence enforcement of Griffin’s ban from office.

“Neither the courts nor Congress have ever required a criminal conviction for a person to be disqualified under Section 3,” Judge Mathew wrote.

CREW brought the case against Griffin partly because New Mexico is one of several states that allow any citizen to bring a private right of action to establish that an elected official is not qualified to hold office. In states that lack such provisions, attorneys note, those who want to remove people under Section 3 may have other paths, such as ballot challenges filed with the secretary of state or an election board.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution for enforcing Section 3 in states,” McPhail said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710880938454.png" alt="FILE - A demonstrator holds a sign outside of the U.S. Supreme Court, Feb. 8, 2024, in Washington. A pair of recent U.S. Supreme Court actions has opened the door to a new legal frontier in which local and state officials can be disqualified from office for life for engaging in "insurrection" or providing "aid and comfort" to enemies of the Constitution, based on a post-Civil War-era provision of the nation's foundational legal document and how the courts interpret it. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - A demonstrator holds a sign outside of the U.S. Supreme Court, Feb. 8, 2024, in Washington. A pair of recent U.S. Supreme Court actions has opened the door to a new legal frontier in which local and state officials can be disqualified from office for life for engaging in "insurrection" or providing "aid and comfort" to enemies of the Constitution, based on a post-Civil War-era provision of the nation's foundational legal document and how the courts interpret it. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Two recent U.S. Supreme Court actions have opened the door to a new legal frontier in which local and state officials can be disqualified from office for life for engaging in “insurrection" or providing “aid and comfort” to enemies of the Constitution, based on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-79373b5043976588b599fc00ede049e8">a post-Civil War era addition to</a>&nbsp;the nation's foundational legal document and how the courts interpret it.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Monday rejected an appeal from a former New Mexico county commissioner who was kicked out of office after he was convicted of trespassing during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The state judge who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-government-and-politics-5e2fd96d5f698017b974f878398578c8">barred him from office</a>&nbsp;did so on the grounds that his actions violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was added to the Constitution in 1868 to prevent Confederates from returning to government.The move came on the heels of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-insurrection-election-colorado-51e79c0f03013034c8a042cb278b6446">expedited high-court ruling</a>&nbsp;that Section 3 can't be used against federal officials or candidates until Congress writes a law outlining procedures to do so. That includes former President Donald Trump, the target of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-supreme-court-colorado-2b9d5b628cb2779fc84212cdc651e4e7">a national campaign</a>&nbsp;to end his bid to return to the White House via the 14th Amendment.But the court's ruling in the Trump case explicitly said the provision could still be used against state and local officials.Taken together, the actions herald a new legal landscape as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-2024-election-ballot-9c5f79203109ba221b35a48e708ad725">liberal groups</a>&nbsp;that pushed the issue of Trump's disqualification to the Supreme Court reboot efforts to target state and local officials linked to Jan. 6.“This is a bit of returning to the course we expected to be following, which was holding individuals accountable, who are low-level officials, who still broke their oath by coming to D.C., engaging in insurrection,” said Stuart McPhail, an attorney with Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning group whose lawsuit against Trump ended up at the Supreme Court.Ron Fein, legal director of Free Speech For People, which brought several other actions seeking to disqualify Trump and Republican members of Congress for their role in the Capitol attack, wouldn't comment on his group's plans. But, he said, one legal fact remains clear.“Section 3 continues to be a viable way of protecting against insurrectionists in state and local government,” Fein said.CREW, which brought the lawsuit against Trump’s candidacy that landed at the Supreme Court, has identified state lawmakers it believes might be vulnerable to challenges under Section 3. It already has succeeded in one case, brought against the local official in New Mexico.Otero County Commissioner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-new-mexico-state-government-donald-trump-santa-fe-5a4bde1a89344a0eb11a0a1d58a2100d">Couy Griffin,</a>&nbsp;a founder of the promotional group Cowboys for Trump, is the only elected official thus far to be banned from office in connection with the Capitol attack, which disrupted Congress as it was trying to certify Joe Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-claims-biden-won-explained-bd53b14ce871412b462cb3fe2c563f18">2020 electoral victory</a>&nbsp;over Trump.The lawsuit against him cited his violation of Section 3, which prohibits anyone who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and then “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against it or gave “aid and comfort” to its enemies, from holding future office.McPhail says there is a new sense of urgency to take action under that clause against state or local officials linked to Jan. 6 — before they run for federal office and can’t be sidelined.“It does create this incentive to bring cases from low-level officials now because then you can actually win them and get some kind of relief in judgments, whereas if you wait, you may have lost the opportunity,” he said.Based on the Supreme Court's ruling in the Trump disqualification case, a state or local official removed under Section 3 could still hold federal office, all the way up to president, unless Congress acted.Griffin said his disqualification was politically motivated. He and his defense attorney said Monday’s dismissal by the Supreme Court holds ominous implications, creating a pathway for partisan actors to harness Section 3 of the 14th Amendment in unpredictable ways in the future.“All you have to do is go to a really friendly county, with a good friendly judge that’s politically on your side, and then you get rid of your opposition,” said Peter Ticktin, Griffin's attorney in the appeal to the Supreme Court.Derek Muller, a Notre Dame law professor, said he wouldn't be surprised if Section 3 litigation eventually targets people for reasons well beyond Jan. 6.“I don't know how widespread it's going to be,” he said. “I'm sure people are going to start thinking creatively about what it means — if you're supporting, Hamas, the Taliban, (Black Lives Matter).”Muller added that the court system is well-equipped to sort out frivolous uses of Section 3, just as it does in other cases of ballot challenges: “In most of these cases, I think it won't pass the initial motion to dismiss.”The bigger question, he said, is how do courts address issues that the Supreme Court dodged in its ruling on the Trump case: What constitutes an insurrection under Section 3? How do First Amendment rights and other constitutional guarantees interact with its provisions?In Griffin's case, New Mexico Judge Francis Mathew found that Griffin aided an insurrection without engaging in violence, contributing to a delay in Congress’ certification of the presidential election.He ruled that Griffin spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">lies about the 2020 election being stolen</a>&nbsp;from Trump in a series of speeches during rallies held across the country, calling on crowds to go with him to Washington on Jan. 6 and join the “war” over the presidential election results.“Knowledgeable 19th century Americans including Section 3’s framers would have regarded the events of Jan. 6, and the surrounding planning, mobilization and incitement, as an insurrection,” Mathew ruled. “Mr. Griffin also incited, encouraged, and helped normalize the violence on January 6.”Griffin, a Republican, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-new-mexico-riots-presidential-elections-7cf8b8a96a39bde8f6966e47cc37ff46">convicted separately</a>&nbsp;in federal court of entering a restricted area on the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 and received a 14-day prison sentence. The sentence was offset by time served after his arrest in Washington, where he had returned to protest Biden’s 2021 inauguration. That conviction is under appeal, but is unlikely to influence enforcement of Griffin’s ban from office.“Neither the courts nor Congress have ever required a criminal conviction for a person to be disqualified under Section 3,” Judge Mathew wrote.CREW brought the case against Griffin partly because New Mexico is one of several states that allow any citizen to bring a private right of action to establish that an elected official is not qualified to hold office. In states that lack such provisions, attorneys note, those who want to remove people under Section 3 may have other paths, such as ballot challenges filed with the secretary of state or an election board.“There is no one-size-fits-all solution for enforcing Section 3 in states,” McPhail said.___

Court opens new frontier for insurrection claims that could target state, local officials

JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug allegations.

Just after 9p.m. March 19, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix near 110th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711199532043.png" alt="Ripple-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Ripple-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug allegations.Just after 9p.m. March 19, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix near 110th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the traffic stop, the deputy discovered drug contraband that was inside the vehicle. The driver, Stacy L. Ripple, 37, of Topeka was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail and&nbsp; booked on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with law enforcement.