District of Kansas

WICHITA, KAN. – A Salina man pleaded guilty Tuesday to distributing child pornography. As part of a plea agreement in the case, prosecutors agreed to drop charges that the defendant threatened the life of the President of the United States, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Aaron McDowell, 25, Salina, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography. Investigators discovered the child pornography while investigating charges that McDowell posted a threat to kill the president on social media.

Investigators examining McDowell’s phone found images of child pornography. They went on to discover that for about a year McDowell used an online chat application to trade child pornography with other users.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 20. The plea agreement recommends McDowell be sentenced to not less than 168 months and not more than 216 months in federal prison. McAllister commended the U.S. Secret Service, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – An Overland Park man pleaded guilty today to possessing 152 videos containing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Alan Noltensmeyer, 46, Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. The investigation began when the FBI was investigating how people were using software designed to provide anonymity for obtaining and trading child pornography. Investigators identified Noltensmeyer’s IP address. They found approximately 2,400 images and 152 videos containing child pornography on an external hard drive and optical disc.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 3. He could face a sentence of not less than five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri man with a prior child sexual exploitation conviction pleaded guilty today to possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

William Lockwood, 41, who lived in Kansas City, Kan., at the time of the crime and now lives in Pleasant Valley, Mo., pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. The investigation began when Dropbox sent a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In his plea, Lockwood admitted he uploaded child pornography to the Dropbox account and provided access to other users.

Investigators seized 26 videos of child sexual abuse from Lockwood’s account. In 2012, Lockwood was convicted in Collier County, Fla., on a charge of obscene communication for the purpose of luring a child for sex.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 3. Both parties are recommending a sentence of 144 months in federal prison. McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, Kan. – A basketball coach at Seaman High School was charged today with sexually exploiting minors, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Jeffrey D. Pierce, 40, Topeka, Kan., is charged with two counts of producing child pornography (counts 1 and 2) and one count of possessing child pornography (count 3). The production crimes are alleged to have occurred March 10 and March 14, 2020. The possession crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 2, 2020.

If convicted, Pierce could face a penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison on each production count, and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the possession count. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hunting is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was sentenced today to 115 months for driving the getaway car in a series of commercial robberies, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Shaiquille Harris, 27, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. In his plea, Harris admitted participating in robberies at the following stores:

• Kwik Shop, 710 W. 29th, Wichita, Kan.
• Kwik Shop, 3959 S. Hydraulic, Wichita, Kan.
• Kwik Shop, 3601 E. 47th South, Wichita, Kan.
• QuikTrip, 2821 E. 31st South, Wichita, Kan.

 

Harris admitted that in each case he drove and a co-defendant entered the store to commit the robbery.

Co-defendant Brelen VonFange, 28, Wichita, Kan., is awaiting trial.

McAllister commended the FBI, the Wichita Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. - A Wichita man was sentenced today to 100 months in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Myron L. Hite II, 43, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, he admitted that when the Kansas Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant at his home in Wichita, they found more than half a pound of methamphetamine. They also found more than $14,000 in cash and two loaded firearms.

McAllister commended the KBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - An Overland Park woman who owned massage parlors in Olathe and Leawood pleaded guilty today to a federal interstate prostitution charge.

Chunqui Wu, 62, Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of transportation with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. An indictment alleges Wu operated three massage parlors: Alpha Massage at 116 S. Clairborne, #A, in Olathe, Kan.; A Plus Massage at 527 N. Mur-Len Road, in Olathe, Kan.; and King Spa at 13104 State Line Road in Leawood, Kan.

Wu’s plea agreement says investigators worked with an undercover confidential source who contacted Wu and asked for a job working in Wu’s massage parlors. Wu made statements indicating she allowed her employees to perform sexual services for tips. Other investigators working undercover confirmed that employees in Wu’s massage parlors were offering sexual services to customers.

Wu was arrested when she went to the Kansas City International airport in Kansas City, Mo., to meet the undercover confidential source and transport her back to Kansas to work in one of Wu’s massage parlors.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 16. Wu could face up to 10 years in federal prison. McAllister commended the Olathe Police Department, the Leawood Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted today on federal firearms and drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Pablo Martinez, 42, Kansas City, Kan., was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Court documents allege the investigation began when law enforcement received a complaint from Balls Food Inc. that one of its employees was distributing marijuana. Investigators identified Martinez as the employee’s supplier.

When the Kansas Highway patrol stopped Martinez’s car for a traffic violation, a trooper found a .45 caliber handgun and more than a quarter pound of marijuana in the car. Martinez denied selling marijuana. He told investigators he himself smoked about a quarter pound of marijuana every five days.

If convicted, he could face a penalty not less than five years in federal prison on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, up to 10 years and fine up to $250,000 on the other firearm charge and up five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the marijuana charge. The FBI, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

        

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Dantay Ray Williams, 19, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred June 17, 2020 in Topeka.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than five years in federal prison on firearm charge and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the marijuana charge. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

Anthony Contreras, 22, Overland Park, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of distributing fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred July 22, 2020, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on the charge of distributing fentanyl, not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other firearm charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

Fermin Ramirez Bueno, 27, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Aug. 5, 2010, in Johnson County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Homeland Security investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was sentenced today to 94 months in federal prison for dealing drugs, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Anthony Lee Hunter, 51, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, he admitted that when investigators searched his residence in the 700 block of northeast Emmett Street they turned up more than 30 grams of methamphetamine and more than 11 grams of heroin. Hunter told investigators that earlier that week he spent more than $30,000 buying drugs in Kansas City and the drugs they seized were all he had left.

McAllister commended the FBI, the Lawrence Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man who has a record of criminal convictions including voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery was sentenced today to 64 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Steven McAllister said.

William F. Bivens III, 42, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He admitted officers found him in possession of two firearms, a .40 caliber Glock and a .45 caliber Arms Corp. pistol. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms.

In a sentencing memo filed with the court, prosecutors cited Bivens’ criminal record built over 20 years.

“The defendant has absolutely no desire to live a law-abiding life,” the memo said.

McAllister commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case. This case was prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative to reduce gun violence.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was sentenced today to seven years for an attempted robbery in which he and a juvenile armed with a gun tried to rob a liquor store, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Joseph Bryant Toole, III, 37, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery of a commercial business. In his plea, he admitted that on Nov. 2, 2018, he and a juvenile male accomplice attempted a robbery at Lynn’s Liquor, 3335 SW Gage Blvd. in Topeka. They were wearing blue bandanas and the juvenile was carrying a firearm. However, the door was locked and they were unable to enter the business.

Investigators were able to identify a vehicle parked near the liquor store, which led them to the defendant.

McAllister commended the FBI, the Topeka Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was charged in a federal indictment unsealed today with growing thousands of poppy plants at his home in Clay County in an effort to manufacture heroin, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Matthew Pfeiffer, 43, Morganville, Kan., is charged with one count of attempting to manufacture opium, one count of manufacturing thebaine (a constituent of opium) and one count of using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The indictment alleges that the investigation began when the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Riley County Police Department received information that Pfeiffer was growing poppies and planning to manufacture heroin. On June 4, 2020, law enforcement officers served a search warrant at Pfeiffer’s home in Morganville, where they seized more than 4,000 poppy plants. The poppies were identified as Papaver somniferum, a plant from which opium is derived.

“Opium poppies are an unfamiliar sight in Kansas,” McAllister said, “and we want to keep it that way. It is unlawful to grow poppies for the purpose of producing opiates.”

“The cultivation of poppy plants, for the purpose of making opium paste for heroin production is extremely rare in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan, head of the St. Louis Division, which covers Kansas. “The DEA along with our law enforcement partners, thwarted this attempt to produce heroin, and we will continue to stand in the way of violators who seek to harm our communities. This case should serve as an example and a warning that the DEA is as committed to preventing further harm caused by the opioid crisis in rural America, as we are in major cities.”

If convicted, Pfeiffer could face a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on the charges of attempting to manufacture controlled substances, and up to four years and a fine up to $250,000 on the telephone count.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Riley County Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol and the U.S. Marshals Service.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas guide is losing his hunting privileges for three years because he violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.

Bryan D. Boxberger, 33, Stafford, Kan., pleaded guilty today in federal court in Wichita to violating the act. In his plea, Boxberger admitted he acted as a waterfowl guide to a party of 13 hunters in Barton County, Kan. With Boxberger’s assistance, the hunters killed 31 white-fronted geese, violating a daily bag limit of two per person.

Boxberger was sentenced to three years on probation, during which he is prohibited from hunting and fishing or acting as a guide. In addition, he was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine directed to the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund and $10,000 in restitution directed to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism-Law Enforcement Division Restitution Fund.

McAllister commended the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster for their work on the case.

 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man with a prior rape conviction was sentenced today to 197 months in federal prison for distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, he was ordered to pay $95,000 in restitution.

James Minter, 47, Linwood, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that law enforcement received a report from CyberTipline (https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline ) that he had uploaded a file containing child pornography via the internet. Investigators tracked the upload to a Minter’s residence in Linwood. More than 1,000 images and 200 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children were seize from Minter’s devices.

In 1998, Minter was convicted of rape and criminal sodomy after assaulting a 5-year-old child. He was released from prison in May 2018.

McAllister commended the Wichita Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the cases.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A driver who was stopped on a Kansas highway with 23 pounds of methamphetamine in his car was sentenced today to 164 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Eduardo Garcia-Patino, 45, San Jancinto, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, Garcia-Patino was stopped for a traffic violation while driving eastbound on I-70 in Geary County, Kan. Investigators found a red duffel bag in his truck containing the methamphetamine.

McAllister commended the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jackson County Drug Task Force, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – In three unrelated cases, a federal grand jury today indicted aliens who are accused of returning to the United States after being deported, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Enrique Jaime Ortega-Rodriguez, 40, a Mexican citizen, is charged with one count of unlawful re-entry. The indictment alleges that on July 26, 2020, he was found in Dodge City, Kan. In November 2015, he was deported from San Ysidro, Calif.

If convicted, he could face up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

Edgar Castro-Motta, 39, is charged with one count of unlawful re-entry after being convicted of a felony and deported. The indictment alleges that on Jan. 29, 2020, he was found in Johnson County, Kan. In April 2015, he was deported after being convicted of a felony.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.

Hector Medina-Espericueta, 55, is charged with one count of unlawful re-entry. The indictment alleges that on June 23, 2020, he was found in Johnson County, Kan. In March 2014, he was deported.

If convicted, he could face up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Casey L. Casto, 38, Milford, Kan., who was an employee of the U.S. Postal Service in Milford, is charged with two counts of delaying or destroying mail. The crimes are alleged to have occurred during June and July 2019 in Milford.

If convicted, the defendant could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The U.S. Postal Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.

 

Chloe Jean Heather, 28, Holts Summit, Mo., and Paul Edward Raef, 38, Holts Summit, Mo., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 18, 2020, in Geary County, Kan.

If convicted, they could face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Debenham is prosecuting.

 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

 

TOPEKA, KAN. – A former Army soldier stationed at Fort Riley was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for distributing instructions for making explosives, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. After his prison time, the defendant will serve three years on supervised release.

Jarrett William Smith, 24, formerly of Ft. Riley, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing information related to explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction.

Smith joined the Army June 12, 2017. He served as an infantry soldier and was trained in combat and tactical operations. He was transferred to Fort Riley in Kansas July 8, 2019.

The FBI received information that Smith used social media to give out guidance to others on how to construct improvised explosive devices. He spoke to others on social media about wanting to travel to Ukraine to fight with a violent, far-right military group.

On September 20, 2019, from Fort Riley Smith sent a person working undercover for the FBI specific instructions for making an explosive device. Smith also provided a recipe for creating improvised napalm.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man pleaded guilty today to armed robberies at two Topeka businesses, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Victor Alberto Arellano, 22, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during the armed robberies.

In his plea, Arellano admitted that on Aug. 28, 2019, he and co-defendant Javier Martinez robbed the Panderia Monterrey Bakery at 3145 S.E. 6th Avenue and on Aug. 29, 2019, he and Javier Martinez robbed Poblanos Grille at 3935 S.E. 6th Avenue. In both cases, Arellano and Javier Martinez held employees at gunpoint. Another co-defendant waited in the car to make a getaway.

Arellano’s sentencing is set for Nov. 24. He could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each robbery count and not less than seven years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of brandishing a weapon, to be served consecutively to the robbery counts and consecutively to each other.

Co-defendant Ernesto Negrete Jr. is set for sentencing Oct. 27. Co-defendant Javier Angel Martinez is awaiting trial.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison for devising an identity theft scheme that caused a loss of more than $47,000, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

 Joseph Adams, 42, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud. In his plea, Adams admitted he and a co-defendant obtained stolen mail containing checks and information on victims’ identities. They used a software program to make counterfeit checks and identification cards. They passed the counterfeit checks at stores including a Walmart in Overland Park, Kan. They also used a stolen identity to access an account at Capital Federal Bank. The overall loss was approximately $47,600.

Co-defendant Danielle Hutchens is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 28.

McAllister commended the U.S. Postal Service, the Overland Park Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Wednesday to six years in federal prison for heroin trafficking, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

 Terrance Wills, 42, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin. In his plea, Wills admitted he met two other men, who had transported the heroin from Texas, at a rest area near Topeka. Investigators had been following the load – almost five pounds of heroin -- since the couriers were stopped on Highway 54 near Meade, Kan.

McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hunting for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A California man pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Wichita to trafficking in fentanyl and heroin, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Mauricio Canas, 24, Bermuda Dunes, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking. In his plea, he admitted law enforcement officers stopped his car in Thomas County for a traffic violation. In the car, they found more than 9 pounds of fentanyl and more than 8 pounds of heroin.

Investigators learned Canas was transporting the drugs from California to New York for distribution when he passed through Kansas. He used a phone to communicate with his contacts in New York.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 22. He could face a penalty of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the transportation charge and up to four years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count.

McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A grand jury in Kansas City, Kan., returned kidnapping charges Wednesday against six defendants, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

The superseding indictment builds on an indictment initially filed under seal late last year alleging the kidnapping took place in April 2019 in Wyandotte County. The indictment alleges a ransom was paid and that some of the defendants carried firearms during the crime. The indictment identifies the victim only as D.B. and provides no further details of the crime. The federal penalty for kidnapping is up to life in prison.

Charged in the case are the following:

David Carr, 34, Kansas City, Kan., one count of kidnapping (count one), one count of brandishing a firearm during the crime (count four).

Brandon West, 34, Kansas City, Kan., one count of kidnapping (count one), one count of receiving and possessing ransom money (count two), one count of brandishing a firearm during the crime (count four).

Randi Serna, 30, Wichita, Kan., one count of kidnapping (count one).

Brian Spaulding, 30, Mission, Kan., one count of kidnapping (count one), one count of discharging a shotgun during the crime (count three).

Michael Huggins, 39, one count of kidnapping (count one), one count of receiving and possessing ransom money (count two),

James Michael Poterbin, 44, one count of kidnapping (count one), one count of brandishing a firearm during the crime (count four).

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

         Kidnapping: Up to life in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

         Receiving ransom money: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

         Brandishing a firearm in a crime of violence (counts three and four): Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

KANSAS CITY, KAN.  – This week marks the 30thAnniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA), a critical civil rights law that aims to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas is proud to play a critical role in the Justice Department’s enforcement efforts under the ADA, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is the nation’s preeminent civil rights law for providing access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.  \

“Our office is authorized to investigate complaints, conduct compliance reviews to ensure accessibility, initiate and intervene in litigation, and provide technical assistance to businesses, governments, and the general public,” McAllister said. “All of these actions are designed to promote voluntary compliance with the ADA.”

“The ADA has been watershed legislation that has improved the lives of millions of Americans by including them more fully in our society, recognizing and celebrating their talents and abilities, rather than allowing employers and institutions to act based on stereotypes regarding their challenges. One champion of the ADA, Senator Bob Dole, recently celebrated his 97th birthday, and I would like to say both ‘Thank You’ and ‘Happy Birthday!’ to the Senator from my home county of Russell.”

The promise of the ADA is its wide-ranging efforts to eliminate disability discrimination across the range of services, programs, and activities that most Americans take for granted, but were largely inaccessible to individuals with disabilities prior to the law’s enactment. Whether in employment, areas of civic life, or in the day-to-day activities and access to goods and services that we all enjoy – the ADA ensures that individuals with disabilities enjoy the same opportunities as all Americans to participate in everything this nation has to offer.

 

Over the past 30 years, the United States has undertaken the challenge of changing perceptions about disability, tearing down barriers to equality, and altering the systems that have historically excluded people with disabilities. This week, the Justice Department commemorates the many ways that the ADA has transformed society—by replacing exclusion with access, segregation with integration, and limitations with self-determination.

For more information about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov. To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. For more information about the ADA, call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was indicted today on a federal robbery charge, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Raymond Paul Stilley, 31, who is in custody,was charged with one count of robbery. The indictment alleges that on July 12, 2020, Stilley threatened two victims in Lawrence, Kan., with violence to force them to provide PIN numbers to debit and credit cards he had taken from them. He was going to use the cards to withdraw cash at ATM machines in Topeka and Lawrence.

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

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI and the Topeka Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 Antonio Lawrence, 31, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of producing child pornography, two counts of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. The crimes are alleged to have occurred during 2019 in Topeka, Kan.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

         Production: Not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

         Distribution: Not less than five years and not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

         Possession: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

The FBI and the Topeka Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hunting is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

WICHITA, KAN. – A former Kansas man was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for uploading child pornography to his Yahoo Messenger account, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Kenneth Herd, 55, formerly of Lyons, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of transporting child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that Yahoo reported him to Cyber Tip Report (https://report.cybertip.org/ ). Investigators used Herd’s IP address to track the account to him at an address in Lyons, Kan. Herd now lives in Chandler, Okla.

McAllister commended the KBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man pleaded guilty today to driving a getaway car in two robberies, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Ernesto Negrete Jr., 30, Topeka, Kan., pleaded to two counts of robbery. In his plea, he admitted being involved in a robbery at Panderia Monterrey Bakery, 3154 S.E. 6th Avenue in Topeka, and a robbery at Pablanos Grille, 3035 S.E. 6th Avenue in Topeka. Negrete said that in both cases he drove the car while co-defendants Javier Martinez and Victor Arellano entered the stores masked and brandishing handguns. Martinez and Arellano are awaiting trial.

Negrete’s sentencing is set for Oct. 27. He could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A convicted sex offender was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison for possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.

Bryan S. Duncan, 35, Manhattan, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that undercover investigators downloaded child pornography from his account via a peer-to-peer file-sharing program. When investigators served a search warrant at Duncan’s home in Manhattan they found electronic devices containing 450 video files.

Duncan had a previous child pornography conviction from 2005.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri man who admitted to conspiring to launder more than $1 million in drug proceeds was sentenced Thursday to 216 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Juan Duarte-Tello, 47, Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. In his plea, Duarte-Tello admitted he personally handled more than a $1 million in drug trafficking proceeds for a drug trafficking organization that was distributing methamphetamine in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. During the conspiracy, investigators had Duarte-Tello under electronic surveillance. He arranged for cash derived from drug trafficking to be funneled into bank accounts in California.

McAllister commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, and the Jackson County Missouri Drug Task Force, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man who caught law enforcement’s attention when he was shot pleaded guilty today to growing hallucinogenic mushrooms, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Corey A. Logan, 35, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of manufacturing a controlled substance. In his plea, Logan admitted that in March 2018 police were dispatched to his home in the 1900 block of East Maywood. Logan reported being shot by an unknown assailant. Police found a mushroom growing operation in a bedroom of his home.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 2. He could face a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison. McAllister commended the Wichita Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.

 

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas building contractor was sentenced Wednesday to a year and a day in prison and fined $25,000 for conspiring to deprive the city of Lawrence of sales tax revenues in connection with the development of a seven-story hotel adjacent to the University of Kansas campus. After completing his sentence, the defendant will serve three years on supervised release.

Thomas S. Fritzel, 54, Lawrence, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of criminal conspiracy. Fritzel, part owner and manager of Oread Inn LC, was a party to an agreement with the city to finance the more than $40 million hotel project, including $11 million worth of street repairs and a public parking garage.

Oread Inn LC was to pay all costs up front and to be repaid $11 million for public improvements. The money to repay Oread Inn LC was to come from an incremental increase in property tax, a sales tax and an additional 1 percent tax on sales within a portion of the redevelopment district.

In his plea, Fritzel admitted that he and others caused false monthly Kansas sales tax returns to be submitted to the state of Kansas. The reports classified certain sales as occurring within the redevelopment district when in fact they occurred outside the district. As a result, the city of Lawrence lost a portion of sales taxes it was due.

The city of Lawrence filed a civil lawsuit against Fritzel seeking the lost revenue and the parties settled that case in 2017.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard commended the FBI, the Lawrence Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Hathaway for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas priest who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography was sentenced today to 37 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. The defendant also was ordered to pay $5,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

In his plea, Christopher Rossman, 47, who formerly served at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Baldwin City, Kan., admitted that investigators found child pornography on his Samsung Galaxy tablet. The crime occurred in September 2016 when monitoring software installed on Rossman’s computer devices reported he had visited adult pornography and child pornography websites. The archdiocese forwarded the report to law enforcement.

When investigators tried to find Rossman in Baldwin City, they learned that his sister had taken possession of the Galaxy tablet and tried to run over it a number of times. A forensics examination found files on the device depicting prepubescent females engaged in sexual activities.

McAllister commended FBI task force agent Angie Jones for her work on the case and the Archdiocese for it its cooperation. McAllister and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel prosecuted.

 

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas remind taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warn against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams.

Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15.

“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return – it is not an extension to pay any taxes due”, said Adam Steiner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID-19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.”

As the filing deadline is today, taxpayers should beware of tax and COVID-19 related scams. “Criminals use the tax filing deadline as an opportunity to steal personal and financial information”, said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister for the District of Kansas. “Taxpayers should remain vigilant and know that the IRS will not initiate contact with them via phone, email or social media to request personal or financial information.”

In the last few months, the IRS Criminal Investigation division (CI) has continued to see a tremendous increase in a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes. CI continues to work with its law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and bring criminals to justice.

Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Unsolicited (phishing) e-mails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov.

For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.

TOPEKA, KAN. - A Topeka, Kan., man was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for the second degree murder of a woman he was traveling with on a cruise ship vacation, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Eric Newman, 55, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to killing Tamara Tucker, who died Jan. 19, 2018, on board the Carnival Elation, a vessel registered in Panama. The Carnival Elation was on a voyage that took passengers from Jacksonville, Fla., to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and back.

“The man who killed Tamara Tucker was no stranger to her,” McAllister said. “He was her intimate partner for years, a person she loved and trusted. He was the one person she wanted to share this special voyage and to join her in celebrating her 50th birthday.”

In his plea, Newman said he and Tucker were traveling together and were assigned to cabin room G-29, located on the 14th deck of the cruise ship’s starboard side. The cabin had a balcony overlooking the ship’s 11th deck. During an argument in their room, Newman attacked Tucker.

“He had his hands around her neck when he pushed her over a balcony railing and she fell to her death on the 11th deck,” McAllister said.

McAllister was joined at a press conference today in Topeka by Ms. Tucker’s family, including her mother, Wanda Tucker-Schrantz, her sister, Dawn Tucker and her brother, Bo Tucker.

“As a professional social worker with a master’s degree, a teacher and an advocate, Ms. Tucker was no stranger to the complexities of human nature that can transform love into deadly violence,” McAllister said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention use the term “intimate partner violence,” which is defined as physical violence, sexual violence, stalking or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse.

Nearly half of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by a current or former male intimate partner, according to the CDC.

 About 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. About 41 percent of female IPV survivors and 14 percent of male IPV survivors experienced some form of physical injury.

Survivors of IPV can experience health problems including depression and PTSD. In addition, they are at a higher risk for smoking, binge drinking and risky sexual behaviors. For more information, see the CDC’s web page at https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html .

McAllister commended the FBI field offices in Jacksonville and Topeka, Trial Attorney Rami S. Badawy of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney of the District of Kansas for their work on the case.

A Kansas man was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for murdering his longtime girlfriend during a cruise from Florida to the Bahamas in January 2018.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Stephen R. McAllister of the District of Kansas and Special Agent in Charge Rachel L. Rojas of the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office made the announcement.

Eric Duane Newman, 55, of Topeka, Kansas, pleaded guilty on Dec. 19, 2019, before Chief U.S. District Judge Julie A. Robinson of the District of Kansas to one count of murder in the second degree for killing Tamara Tucker with malice aforethought.

Chief Judge Robinson also sentenced Newman to five years of post-release supervision and ordered him to pay $8,496.00 restitution to Tucker’s family.

According to the admissions made in connection with the plea, Newman and Tucker boarded the Carnival Elation cruise ship on Jan. 18, 2018, in Jacksonville, Florida, to take a round-trip voyage to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.  Newman and Tucker were staying together in a cabin room on the 13th deck of the cruise ship.

Before midnight on Jan. 18, Newman became involved in a verbal argument with Tucker inside their cabin room.  At approximately 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 19, Newman physically attacked Tucker, and strangled her by placing both of his hands around her neck.  In the process of strangling her, Newman pushed Tucker over the cabin room balcony railing causing her to fall to her death onto the 11th deck.  Tucker died from blunt force trauma as a result of the fall.  At the time, the cruise ship was sailing on the high seas in international water, approximately 30 nautical miles from New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office with the assistance of the FBI’s Topeka Field Office.  Trial Attorney Rami S. Badawy of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine E. Kenney of the District of Kansas prosecuted the case.  Assistance was also provided by the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Office of the Attorney General. 

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A man who works for the city of Topeka was indicted today on federal child pornography charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Travis Bronson, 39, Lawrence, Kan., was charged with one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. Bronson works as a video producer for the city of Topeka.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred Nov. 15, 2017, and Feb. 1, 2018, in Douglas County, Kan.

In a separate case, another Kansas man was indicted today on child pornography charges.

Charles Shepherd, 76, Bonner Springs, Kan., was charged with one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. The crimes are alleged to have occurred June 11, 2016, and Feb. 16, 2018, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, both defendants could face a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the distribution counts and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the possession count.

The FBI investigated both cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

 

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man who was arrested in Great Bend in September after fleeing from officers was indicted today on federal drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Roosevelt Tyree Henderson IV, 32, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The indictment alleges that on Sept. 30, 2019, Henderson was arrested with more than 3.8 pounds of pure methamphetamine and an Excam model GT 27 pistol in his possession. The Barton County Sheriff reported at the time that Henderson fled when the Sheriff attempted to stop his car. Henderson abandoned the car at a house in Great Bend. There was a short standoff before he surrendered.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million on the methamphetamine charge, not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. The Barton County Sheriff and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Ashley M. George, 28, Kansas City, Mo., and Raul Camacho-Munoz, 38, Kansas City, Mo., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count one) and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (count two). In addition, George is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon (count three). In addition, Camacho-Munoz is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a Mexican citizen who is in the United States unlawfully (count four), and one count of unlawfully reentering the United States after being deported (count five). The crimes are alleged to have occurred Oct. 25, 2019, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Count one: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $20 million.

Count two: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Counts three and four: up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count five: Up to two years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

 

Mario A. Brown, 31, who is in federal custody, is charged with one count of escaping from federal custody at the Grossman Community Corrections Center in Leavenworth, Kan. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 4, 2019.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

 

Karina Valdez, 31, Holcomb, Kan., and Anaben Esquivel, 31, Garden City, Kan., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred July 30, 2019, in Finney County, Kan.

If convicted, they could face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Finney County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

Eugene C. Young Jr., 58, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 28, 2019, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

         

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

TOPEKA, KAN. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation will receive a $1 million grant to fight methamphetamine trafficking, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.

The money is part of nearly $42 million the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services announced today will be distributed to state law enforcement agencies across the nation to combat the manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs.

“Methamphetamine trafficking and addiction have been driving forces behind many violent crimes in Kansas, often involving firearms,” McAllister said. “And meth addiction has plagued too many Kansans, ruined lives, destroyed families, and required the expenditure of vast amounts of law enforcement and community resources. These Department of Justice funded efforts to reduce the manufacturing and distribution of meth are a positive event for Kansas.”

“The scourge of opioid and methamphetamine use continues to take a devastating toll on our nation’s communities,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “By providing these resources to law enforcement to help combat the further spread, the COPS Office is demonstrating our commitment to this Administration’s priority of reducing drug use and protecting our citizens from this public health and safety crisis.”

The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 135,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Topeka man was indicted today in federal court in Wichita on charges of committing robberies at three stores in Topeka, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Deshawn Lorenzo Pittman, 24, Topeka, Kan., is charged with three counts of commercial robbery. The indictment alleges Pittman committed the following robberies:

• Sept. 8, 2019, Dollar General, 4500 Southeast California Ave. Topeka, Kan.
• Nov. 15, 2019, Family Dollar, 501 Southeast 21st Street, Topeka, Kan.
• Dec. 23, 2019, Loan Max Title Loans, 3601 Southwest Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, Kan.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarred Maag is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS 

Two defendants from California were indicted today on charges of smuggling more than two pounds of fentanyl to Kansas.

Jorge Eduardo Guerrero-Bustamante, 26, San Jose, Calif., and Ruby Quiroz, 25, Santa Ana, Calif., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. They were arrested Jan. 2 during a car stop in Meade County, Kan.

If convicted, they could face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

**

Gleneice Lashawn Phillips, 24, Dayton, Ohio, and Kamryne J. Wright, 19, Dayton, Ohio, are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of traveling across state lines in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 19, 2020, in Trego County, Kan.

The defendants initially were charged by criminal complaint March 10, 2020. The complaint alleged they were stopped with more than 35 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 22 pounds of fentanyl.

If convicted, they could face not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on each of the possession charges and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.

**

Coty C. Mewes, 32, is charged with one count of escaping from custody at the Grossman Residential Reentry Center in Leavenworth, Kan. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 19, 2020.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.

 

Jamison Michael Stiles, 47, is charged with one count of escaping from custody at the Grossman Residential Reentry Center in Leavenworth, Kan. The crime is alleged to have occurred Jan. 26, 2020.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

**

Ronnie Lee Martin, 24, is charged with one count of escaping from custody. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 4, 2020, in Leavenworth, Kan.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

**

Dontreal D. Banks, 33, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred April 23, 2020, in Wichita, Kan.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the felon in possession charge, up to 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on the heroin charge and not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

**

Andre J. Wallace, 44, who is in federal custody, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crimes are alleged to have occurred July 18, 2019, in Topeka, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years on the methamphetamine charge, not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking count and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

**

David W. Kellner, 31, who is in federal custody, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 1, 2020, in Miami and Linn counties.

Kellner initially was charged by criminal complaint May 2. The complaint alleged Kellner led law enforcement on a chase at speeds up to 110 mph.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Miami County Sheriff’s Department, the Linn County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

**

Brandon Eugene Derr, 35, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 4, 2013, in Topeka, Kan.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough is prosecuting.

**

Lamarques A. Channel, 36, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 3, 2020, in Manhattan, Kan.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - Today, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister joined Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice in observing the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“In Kansas, our Elder Justice Task Force is working to combat elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud and scams that target seniors,” McAllister said. “Our office is coordinating with federal, state and local agencies to build our capacity to investigate and prosecute crimes against older adults, to provide training to law enforcement and to connect elders with the help they need.”

Attorney General Barr said COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among those most severely affected by the threat of the novel virus are our senior citizens. During this time when seniors are most vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, he said, bad actors have immediately exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly through a whole host of scam and fraud schemes. As the world takes this day to remember the elderly during these uncertain times, the Department of Justice remains committed, through its department-wide Elder Justice Initiative, to prevent and prosecute fraud on America’s seniors.

The Department will aggressively prosecute fraudsters exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic and targeting seniors offering them fake testing kits and fake help obtaining stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program Funds. On this day dedicated to recognizing our seniors, the Department of Justice sends a strong message that we continue the fight to keep seniors safe a top priority.

Earlier this year Attorney General Barr declared “Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud” to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities

Major strides have already been made to that end:

National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-1. Earlier this year Attorney General Barr launched a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.

Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force: Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel.  Since its inception, prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants.

Annual Elder Justice Sweep: In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors.

Money Mule Initiative: Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. In 2019 actions were taken to halt the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year.

Holding foreign-based perpetrators and those that flee the United States accountable: Transnational criminal organizations are targeting our elder population in schemes including mass mailing fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, lottery and sweepstakes scams, IRS and Social Security Administration imposter scams, and technical-support scams.

For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim services, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the death of Alonzo Brooks. Brooks’ body was found in a creek in La Cygne, Kan., on May 1, 2004.

U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister and FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan announced the reward during a press conference here today. McAllister and the FBI reopened the investigation over a year ago. They have reviewed evidence going back 16 years, re-interviewed many witnesses who attended a party at a farmhouse where Brooks was last seen alive, interviewed new witnesses and collected all available physical and forensic evidence.

“We are investigating whether Alonzo was murdered,” McAllister said. “His death certainly was suspicious, and someone, likely multiple people, know(s) what happened that night in April 2004. It is past time for the truth to come out. The code of silence must be broken. Alonzo’s family deserves to know the truth, and it is time for justice to be served.”

“There are many unanswered questions that surround Alonzo’s death,” Langan said. “Someone knows something and we are hopeful that with the passage of time and this significant reward this renewed effort will produce results and provide closure for the Brooks family.”

The FBI is investigating Brooks’ death as a potential racially-motivated crime. Brooks, who was 23 years old at the time he died, was one of only three African-American men at the party he attended with approximately 100 people at a farmhouse on the outskirts of La Cygne. Brooks, who lived in Gardner, Kan., rode to the party with friends, but they left before him, and Brooks eventually had no ride home.

When Brooks failed to come home the next day, his family and friends contacted the Linn County Sheriff’s Department.

From the beginning, there were rumors that Brooks had been the victim of foul play. Some said Brooks may have flirted with a girl, some said drunken white men wanted to fight an African-American male, and some said racist whites simply resented Brooks’ presence.

After the party, two troubling facts were indisputable: Alonzo could not be found; and no one who attended the party would admit to knowing what happened to him.

According to reports at the time, the Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies searched areas around the farmhouse, including parts of nearby Middle Creek, but did not find Alonzo.

After Alonzo had been missing for almost a month, a group of his family and friends organized a search. They began on the road near the farmhouse and walked the two branches of Middle Creek. In just under an hour, they found Alonzo’s body, partially on top of a pile of brush and branches in the creek.

Because Alonzo died in 2004 and because of the lapse of time between his disappearance and discovery of his body, forensic analysis of the physical evidence at the time was limited. The official autopsy performed in 2004 did not determine a cause of death.

“I have stood under the trees on the bank of Middle Creek where Alonzo’s body was found,” McAllister said. “It is a quiet place of profound sadness to one who knows its history, but no answers are there. I am convinced, however, that there are people who know the answers, people who have been keeping terrible secrets all these years and bearing a horrible burden. We are asking one or more of them to come forward now and to lay down that burden at last, so that we can ease a family’s suffering, and serve the cause of justice.”

This reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the individual or individuals that may be responsible for Alonzo’s death. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the FBI at 816-512-8200 or 816-474-TIPS or submit a tip online at fbi.tips.gov

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister today announced grants for law enforcement agencies in Kansas to hire officers.

The Kansas grants are part of nearly $400 million nationwide for law enforcement hiring announced today by the Department of Justice.

“The grants put the money where it is needed – on the streets,” McAllister said. “Kansans will be safer because of these grants.”

Departments receiving grants in Kansas include:

Arkansas City Police Department: $125,000

Atchison County Sheriff’s Department: $125,000

Bonner Springs Police Department: $125,000.

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department: $118,792

Cheney Police Department: $250,000

Cherryvale Police Department: $125,000.

Gardner Police Department: $125,000.

Goodland Police Department: $125,000.

Hesston Police Department: $125,000

Hiawatha Police Department: $125,000.

Kansas City, Kan., Police Department: $1,322,150

Pratt Police Department: $125,000.

Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Department: $224,965

Wellsville Police Department: $123,624

City of Wichita: $875,000

The funding comes through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). 

“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support: The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”

 

The complete list of awards can be found here https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/CHP/Award_List.pdf . To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

TOPEKA, KAN. – Harcros Chemicals, Inc., and MGP Ingredients, Inc., today were fined $1 million each for violating the federal Clean Air Act when a cloud of toxic chlorine gas was released over Atchison, Kan., in 2016, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. Both companies have paid the fines.

U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Crabtree sentenced the companies during a hearing in federal court in Topeka today. Both companies pleaded guilty to negligently violating the Clean Air Act, which is a Class A misdemeanor.

In their pleas, they admitted that on Oct. 21, 2016, a greenish-yellow chlorine gas cloud formed at MGP Ingredients’ facility in Atchison when 4,000 gallons of sulfuric acid were mistakenly combined with 5,800 gallons of sodium hypochlorite. The Atchison County Department of Emergency Management ordered community members to shelter in place and to evacuate in some areas. Approximately 140 individuals including members of the public, first responders, employees of MGP Ingredients and Harcos Chemicals sought medical attention.

“The chemicals involved in this case posed serious public health and environmental dangers,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Cate Holston of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in Kansas.  “EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to holding responsible parties accountable for actions that put an entire community at risk.”

McAllister commended the Environmental Protection Agency and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Hathaway for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A free public webinar June 17 will focus on the services available from the new U.S. Department of Justice National Elder Fraud Hotline, which will provide services to older adults who may be victims of financial fraud, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

“Fraud and romance scams aimed at older adults resulted in losses of more than $184 million in 2018,” McAllister said. “Many crimes go unreported because victims are scared, embarrassed, or don’t know who to call. That’s why DOJ created the hotline.”

At 3 p.m. June 17, 2020, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Lori A. McGee and Helen Supanich on "The U.S. Department of Justice National Elder Fraud Hotline to Assist Victims of Financial Fraud."

The public is invited to participate by registering in advance at https://www.ovcttac.gov/expert-qa/  

The hotline is on the web at https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov/

 

TOPEKA, KAN. – Three men are charged in federal court on Fort Riley with illegally hunting whitetail deer in off-limit areas located on Fort Riley where explosives are discharged during training exercises, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

The misdemeanor charges allege the men violated the federal Lacey Act while hunting white-tail deer on the grounds of the Army base over the past few years. An investigator’s affidavit alleges the hunters disregarded the posted “off-limits” area, entering before daylight and leaving after dark.

Charged in the case are:

Gregory J. Frikken, 55, Wamego, Kan., one count of criminal trespass, two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal trespass, four counts of Lacey Act violations, one count of conspiracy to commit Lacey Act violations.

James C. Nunley, 32, Wamego, Kan., five counts of Lacey Act violations, one count of criminal trespass and one count of conspiracy to commit criminal trespass.

Michael J. Smith, 55, Watertown, N.Y., one count of criminal trespass, one count of conspiracy to commit criminal trespass, three counts of Lacey Act violations, one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act.

Investigators recovered evidence including deer mounts, antlers, phone data and equipment allegedly used to harvest eight whitetail deer, three of which are considered trophy class.

If convicted, the defendants could face up to one year in jail, maximum $10,000 fine and a mandatory $25 special assessment fee for each Lacey Act Violation which also could include, civil forfeiture and a loss of their federal hunting privileges.

Investigating agencies included the Directorate of Emergency Services, Fort Riley Conservation Law Enforcement Officers, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the New York State Environmental Conservation Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin A. Graham is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A phone line will be in operation for the public to listen to the federal sentencing scheduled for May 27 in the Atchison Clean Air Act case, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.

During the hearing, a federal judge will sentence Harcros Chemicals, Inc., and MGP Ingredients Inc., both of which have pleaded guilty to violating the federal Clean Air Act when a cloud of toxic chlorine gas was released over Atchison, Kan., in 2016.

The hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. in room 401 of the Frank Carlson Federal Building at 444 S.E. Quincy St. in Topeka before U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree. Anyone affected by the gas release over Atchison, Kan., in 2016 who is planning to attend the sentencing in person should email usaks.victim.witness@usdoj.gov or call 913-551-6543 by 11:59 p.m., May 19, 2020.

To listen to the hearing by phone, call 1-888-363-4749 and enter access code 8354715#. The line will allow listening only and participants should mute their telephones. Rules of the court prohibit recording or rebroadcasting the proceedings.

More information about the case is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/victim-witness .

 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister today announced the formation of the Kansas Covid Fraud Task Force.

Task force members from federal and state agencies will work together to investigate and prosecute scammers attempting to prey on Kansans during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“This pandemic is already a health crisis of staggering proportions – we will not let it become a field day for swindlers who seek to capitalize on confusion and fear,” McAllister said. “This task force brings together a team with broad resources to help keep the public safe.”

Members of the Kansas Covid-19 Fraud Task Force include:

Defense Criminal Investigative Service

Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General

Department of Education – Office of Inspector General

Environmental Protection Agency

FBI

Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigation

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General

Federal Emergency Management Agency

General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General

Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General

Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations

Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation

Johnson County District Attorney’s Office

Kansas Attorney General’s Office

Postal Inspection Service

Small Business Administration - Office of Inspector General

U.S. Secret Service

Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration

Treasury – Office of Inspector General

U.S. Army - Criminal Investigation Division

Veteran’s Affairs - Office of Inspector General

 

Complaints can be submitted to the U.S. attorney’s office at USAKS.Covid.Fraud@usdoj.gov, by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or filing a complaint online at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .

“I anticipate this task force will continue to exist as long as it is needed,” McAllister said.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister today announced a grant of more than $318,000 to Wyandotte County to help respond to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.

The grant awarded to the county is available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump.

“This grant of $318,256 can be used to support a broad range of activities to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus,” said McAllister. “That includes overtime, supplies such as gloves, masks and sanitizer and addressing the medical needs of inmates in prisons, jails and detention centers.”

For more information about this grant, contact the Office of Justice Program's Office of Communications at (202) 307-0703.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department will receive a $1.3 million federal grant for hiring police officers under the Justice Department’s Operation Relentless Pursuit initiative, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.  

The grant is part of more than $61 million the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance have awarded to support the Relentless Pursuit initiative

“This award will fund five new positions on the police department in Kansas City, Kan.,” U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. “That additional manpower is part of our plan to make metro Kansas City safer.”

Launched on Dec. 18, 2019, ORP aims to intensify federal law enforcement resources into seven American cities with violent crime levels several times the national average - Albuquerque, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, and Milwaukee.

“While violent crime is down across the country as a whole, some communities remain caught in the grips of violent actors,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “That’s why I launched Operation Relentless Pursuit last December – an initiative to combat violent crime in seven cities where it remains stubbornly high. Today’s grant awards are critical to our mission. We cannot succeed in eradicating crime without resources – the most vital of which are the brave men and women who serve and protect our communities each day. These funds will boost the forces that need them most.”

The COPS Office, through its COPS Hiring Program (CHP), awarded a total of $51 million to be used to hire 214 sworn law enforcement officers for state and local law enforcement task forces. The recipients of the funding will deploy existing veteran officers to task force duties and use the CHP funding to hire new recruits to backfill those positions, as practical. Officers deployed to Operation Relentless Pursuit task forces as a result of CHP funding must be sworn, career law enforcement officers of the awarded agency, and their work on the task force must benefit their jurisdiction. In addition, they are required to work with their respective U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) and rel­evant federal agencies to investigate and prosecute suspects involved in gangs, drug trafficking, and other violent crime– related issues.

“Successful strategies to target and reduce violent crime are extremely resource intensive,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith.  “There is no greater resource than additional men and women on the front lines of relentless fight against gangs, drug traffickers and those that mean harm to our nation’s communities.  The funding announced today is greatly needed for the Operation Relentless Pursuit jurisdictions and the COPS Office is honored to dedicate resources for this effort.”

For a breakdown of the awards, please see the attached spreadsheet. For more information on the COPS Hiring Program ORP grants, please visit: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/chp/FY20_Relentless_Pursuit_Fact_Sheet.pdf

The Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is making $10 million available to support Operation Relentless Pursuit. BJA funds will support efforts such as the hiring of additional prosecutors, overtime expenses for task force members, multi-agency investigations, mobile data terminals and modern technological platforms, and development of strategic plans to address gaps in combating violent crime.

“The responsibility for fighting crime and violence belongs to agencies at every level of government, and winning that fight turns on our ability to deploy our collective resources wisely and effectively,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are eager to make these funds available so that our federal, state and local partners can continue the vital and noble work of protecting America’s most dangerous communities.”

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement. The week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.

“Here in Kansas, we lost an officer in the line of duty already this year,” McAllister said. “We will not forget Mike Mosher or any of the other law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives to keep us safe.” Officer Mosher of the Overland Park Police Department was shot and killed May 3 while responding to a hit-and run-incident.

“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  

 Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.

Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019. Already this year, one Kansas officer died in the line of duty. Overland Park Police Office Officer Mosher was shot and killed May 3 while responding to a possible hit and run.

Comprehensive data tables and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks last year are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.

 The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT).  The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.

 

 

 

WICHITA, KAN. – U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister today announced a $1.2 million grant to the City of Wichita to help respond to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.

The grant awarded to the Executive Office of the State Of Kansas is available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump.

“This grant of $1,250,185 can be used to support a broad range of activities to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus,” said McAllister. “That includes overtime, supplies such as gloves, masks and sanitizer and addressing the medical needs of inmates in prisons, jails and detention centers.”

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. Local units of government and tribes receive direct awards separately according to their jurisdictions’ allocations.

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov .

For more information about this grant, contact the Office of Justice Program's Office of Communications at (202) 307-0703.