Thursday, July 4, 2024

Courthouse News for July 3rd, 2024

 On June 17th, the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department reported that scammers were calling individuals on the Sex Offender Registry demanding money in order not to get arrested for a warrant. The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office will never demand money from people to avoid arrest, and courts do not issue such warrants. If you have questions, contact their office at (660) 582-7451.

On June 24th, Joseph Dixon (44) of Independence pleaded guilty to a charge of Failure to Register as Sex Offender (Felony) in Nodaway County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to four years probation by Judge Corey Herron. The case was transferred from Gentry County on a change of venue.

On June 24th, the US Eastern District Court granted in part and denied in part an injunction request by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and other state attorney generals seeking to end the SAVE plan, President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness and income based repayment plan. Bailey alleged that the US Department of Education exceeded its statutory authority. Judge John Ross issued an injunction against the loan forgiveness portion, but left the rest of the SAVE plan intact. Subsequently, on July 2nd, the 10th Circuit overturned this decision, allowing the entire SAVE plan to proceed.

On June 24th, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey assisted Warren County authorities in obtaining a 150 year prison sentence against Michael Moll, who was convicted of five counts Failure to Register as Sex Offender.

On June 24th, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department published the following news release about a bank robbery in Lenox:

At approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 24th, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office responded to a bank robbery call at the Iowa State Savings Bank in Lenox, Iowa. 

Reports indicated that a male subject entered the bank demanding money and then left on a motorcycle. The subject was pursued into Adams County, but fled at a high rate of speed. The subject lost control and crashed into a farm field. The subject then fled on foot. 

Several law enforcement agencies, including the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol, converged on the area and attempted to locate the subject. 

As law enforcement narrowed in on the subject’s location, the male fired one round, causing a fatal self-inflicted wound. The body will be transported to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner’s Office where a forensic autopsy will be performed later this week.

At this time, the name of the subject is not being released, and no additional information is available.

Subsequently, KMA reported Wednesday that the subject was identified as Steven Trent Sapp (45) of Hooper (NE).

On June 25th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Jackie Hill (39) of Kansas City pleaded guilty to Producing Child Pornography in Federal Court. He was sentenced by Judge Howard Sachs to 16 years and 8 months without parole and must register as a sex offender on his release at both the federal and state levels for the rest of his life.

On the night of June 25th and the morning of June 26th, severe weather hit the area. The power flickered off and on in Sheridan late in the evening and high winds came up around 4:30 am and then suddenly stopped. In Hopkins, a transformer caught fire and electric crews were in town restoring service. There were many branches and a tree down. Hopkins reported 2¼ inches of rain. West Fork was extremely high. A tornado warning was issued for Winterset (IA).

On June 26th, KMA reported that a non-local subject of interest has been identified in the case of a dead baby being found at Mozingo Lake. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made as DNA testing is ongoing. Anyone with additional information should contact Maryville Police at 660-562-3209.

On June 26th, the Western District US Attorney’s Office reported that Craig Reynolds (62) of St. Joseph pleaded guilty in conjunction with an $8 million wire fraud conspiracy that cheated hundreds of members and for making false statements on a personal tax return. He was sentenced to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole by Judge Greg Kays. He was ordered to pay $7,758,908 in restitution to victims, $253,474 to the IRS, and $46,550 to the Missouri Department of Revenue. He was also ordered to forfeit to the government $462,771 from the proceeds of the sale of a house, cash representing his interest in another St. Joseph residence, the values of a Lincoln Navigator and a Harley-Davidson, and the contents of several bank accounts. The defendant allegedly ran Medical Cost Sharing, a tax exempt organization from 2014 to 2022. They allegedly billed themselves as a “Christian Health Care Sharing Ministry,” yet pocketed most of the proceeds for themselves and rarely paid healthcare claims.

On June 26th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Mirza Reazuddin (66) of Lawrenceville (GA) pleaded guilty to Wire Fraud and Money Laundering. They were sentenced by Judge Beth Phillips to one year and six months without parole and ordered to forfeit $804,100 to the Small Business Administration, $804,100 to the government, and forfeit their residential property in Lawrenceville. According to the indictment, the defendant allegedly applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan through the Small Business Administration and made false statements and submitted false documents on behalf of a business that had closed in 2018. 

On June 26th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Judge Greg Kays had sentenced Kippie House (54) and son Darryel Pennington (32) of Kansas City to prison after they pleaded guilty to Felon in Possession of Firearm. House was sentenced to 10 years and one month without parole, and Pennington was sentenced to 10 years without parole. They were sentenced in conjunction with two shootings at Swope Park last year. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Both had been convicted of previous felonies.

On June 26th, the US Department of Justice announced the indictment of Amin Stigal (22), a Russian citizen, alleging conspiracy to hack into and destroy computer systems and data in advance of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Targets allegedly included numerous Ukrainian government computer systems and the theft of personal private information. The US State Department is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his location or cyberactivity. For information, visit www.rewardsforjustice.net.

On June 26th, the Supreme Court reversed a lawsuit brought by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Louisiana, and multiple plaintiffs against the US Surgeon General and other government officials alleging they had coerced Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms to suppress what they saw as COVID-19 misinformation and election misinformation, remanded it for further proceedings, but allowed for more discovery. The vote was 6-3. Justice Amy Comey Barrett, speaking for the majority, argued that the plaintiffs lack standing to sue because they had not linked a specific decision to remove a piece of content with a specific communication by a government official to the platforms in question. She noted that the platforms had begun the content moderation in question before the government communications in question started. Justice Samuel Alito, dissenting, noted that large platforms like Facebook and Twitter are vulnerable to government pressure because they have substantial overseas presence, much stricter regulations overseas, and are thus dependent on the government to protect their interests.

On June 26th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Nekoma Hendrix (46) of Clearmont alleging Harassment (Felony). Bond was set at $5,000 with the defendant to be released on his own recognizance.

On June 26th, Jack Buckman (23) of Albany failed to appear in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court on charges of Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident) and No Insurance. A warrant was issued and bond was set at $500, cash only. 

On June 26th, Angela Herman (55) of St. Joseph failed to appear on a charge of Driving While Revoked (Felony). A warrant was issued and bond was denied.

On June 26th, Wyatt Starmer (26) of Martinsville pleaded guilty in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI and Speeding. He was sentenced to two years probation and 25 hours community service by Judge Jay Hemenway.

On June 26th, Levi Rogers (27) of Bethany pleaded guilty in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Speeding. He was sentenced to two days in jail and fined $250 plus court costs by Judge Jay Hemenway. A second count was dismissed by Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt.

On June 26th, Tyrone Rinner (26) of Ridgeway pleaded guilty in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Domestic Assault. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail by Judge Jay Hemenway with credit for time served.

On June 26th, Amanda Thomas (46) of Bethany failed to appear in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court on charges of Harassment (Felony) and Peace Disturbance. A warrant was issued and bond was set at $1,000, cash only.

On June 27th, Sherry Young (47) of Polo was arrested in Nodaway County and extradited to Fremont County (IA) on a warrant for Burglary (Felony). 

On June 27th, the US Department of Justice announced a health care fraud enforcement action in which 193 defendants were charged for making over $2.75 billion in false healthcare claims. The defendants included 76 doctors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals across the US. Over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets were seized. The charges alleged include over $900 million fraud scheme committed in connection with amniotic wound grafts; the unlawful distribution of millions of pills of Adderall and other stimulants by five defendants associated with a digital technology company; an over $90 million fraud committed by corporate executives distributing adulterated and misbranded HIV medication; over $146 million in fraudulent addiction treatment schemes; over $1.1 billion in telemedicine and laboratory fraud; and over $450 million in other health care fraud and opioid schemes.  

On June 27th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Victoria Vaughn (22) of Bethany in Harrison County on a Probation Violation Warrant and Failure to Register.

On June 27th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Robert Pittman (28) of Shawnee (KS) in Harrison County on a Clay County Warrant (Probation Violation). 

On June 27th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2007 Ford Fusion driven by Daniel King (35) of Grant City and a 2007 Ford Taurus driven by Michelle Teater (46) of Albany were westbound on 136 in Albany at around 3:10 pm. The Taurus was stopped and waiting to make a left turn when it was struck in the rear by the Fusion. Teater received minor injuries and was taken to Mosaic in Albany.

On June 28th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Tiffany Eaton (38) of King City alleging two counts Domestic Assault (1 Felony). 

On June 28th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Kevin Cox (62) of Independence in Harrison County on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Register, and No Seat Belt. Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges the next day. Bond was set at $20,000, cash only.

On June 28th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Eric Clark (41) of Maryville alleging Driving While Revoked (Felony).

On June 28th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Tyler Marriott (22) of Maryville alleging Burglary (Felony), Property Damage, and Stealing. Bond was set at $30,000, cash or corporate surety. An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges the defendant pried open the victim’s apartment while the victim was away for a week and gained entry. The victim allegedly found the defendant sleeping in their apartment. The defendant allegedly stole an Alexa Echo Dot and a living room lamp.

On June 28th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Tucker Herndon (44) of Graham alleging a Sex Offender Violation (Loitering Within 500 Feet of School). Bond was set at $1,000 with the defendant released on his own recognizance.

On June 28th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Kathleen Asher (31) of St. Joseph and Deborah Filley (60) of St. Joseph alleging Burglary (Felony), Stealing (Felony), and Trespassing. An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges that the defendants stole over $1,000 worth of merchandise from the Maryville Wal-Mart. The defendants had been barred from Wal-Mart stores. Bond was set at $30,000 with the defendants allowed to post 10% cash.

On June 29th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2009 Chevy Malibu driven by Richard Culp (55) of Skidmore was westbound on Route V two miles east of Skidmore at around 12:55 am when he traveled off the north side of the roadway, struck a field entrance, and overturned. Culp received serious injuries and was taken to Mosaic in St. Joseph. the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Culp on charges of DWI, Careless & Imprudent Driving, and No Seat Belt.

On June 30th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Eduardo Morales (19) of Bethany alleging Assault (Felony). Bond was set at $5,000 cash only, posted by the defendant.

On June 30th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a Honda Talon driven by Joseph Dilley (24) of Cameron was southbound on Route W five miles north of Bethany at around 4:15 am when it traveled off the west side and overturned. Dilley was ejected from the vehicle. A passenger, Natalya Selby (22) of Cameron, was partially ejected and pinned underneath the vehicle. Both were taken to Harrison County Hospital with serious injuries. Subsequently, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Joseph Dilley (24) of Cameron in Harrison County on a charge of DWI (Felony, Causing Serious Injury).

On July 1st, the US Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump was entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution for “official acts” for exercising his “core constitutional powers.” However, they ruled that he was not subject to immunity for “unofficial acts.” The Supreme Court sent the case down to lower courts to determine what acts constitute official duties that could be protected from liability and which are not.

On July 1st, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office announced that Ana Lilia Leal-Martinez (48), a citizen of Mexico residing in Overland Park (KS), pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering from May 23rd, 2020 to September 20th, 2022. The defendant allegedly accepted drug proceeds from two dealers and sent by wire transfer to individuals in Michoacan (Mexico). The defendant allegedly send wires totaling $83,850 to Mexico from her business under assumed names to avoid detection. Also on July 1st, co-defendant Flor Gonzalez-Celestine (54) of Kansas City pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute $4.7 million worth of Methamphetamine from February 28th, 2020 to September 20th, 2022. In 2022, the US Department of Homeland Security initiated an investigation of a drug trafficking organization that allegedly distributed 335 kilograms of Methamphetamine, 22 kilograms of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl from Mexico to the Kansas City area. There were 44 defendants indicted in this case.

On July 2nd, the Appellate Division First Department in New York disbarred former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani,  one of former President Donald Trump’s chief attorneys, alleging that he made demonstrably false and misleading statements to courts, lawmakers, and the public at large in his capacity as lawyer for former President Trump and the Trump campaign in connection with the former president’s reelection bid in 2020.

On July 2nd, the Missouri House announced the formation of a special interim committee to look into crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants in Missouri. They cited three specific cases in Missouri that were filed in 2024. On June 18th, Arturo Eustaquo, Noe Guzman Hernandez, and Daniel Ruiz Lopez of Mexico and Carlos Funez and Marlon Aguilar were arrested on charges of kidnapping a 14 year old girl in Indiana. They were found with the girl unharmed in Missouri and are held without bail. On March 19th, Jose Barrera was charged with stabbing two people at a laundromat in O’Fallon, near St. Louis, following an altercation. Both victims sustained life threatening injuries. On March 12th, Endrina Bracho was charged with First Degree Manslaughter and Second Degree Assault after a car crash in Hazelwood, near St. Louis, resulted in the death of a 12 year old boy and serious injuries to her own children. According to the ICE, the number of arrests of criminal noncitizens was 103,603 in 2020, 74,082 in 2021, 142,750 in 2022, and 170,590 in 2023. 

On July 2nd, the US Department of Justice announced a settlement agreement with the Wichita (KS) Public Schools resolving allegations of race and disability discrimination. A news release posted that day by the DOJ alleged the school district had disciplined Black students more frequently and severely than White students who had engaged in similar conduct and had similar backgrounds and disciplinary histories. The DOJ also alleged that the district inappropriately and repeatedly secluded and restrained students with disabilities and relegated those with the greatest behavioral needs to inferior facilities with inadequate services and support. The district agreed to revise practices to prevent discrimination in discipline and referrals to law enforcement, end the use of seclusion, reform its restraint practices, and improve services to students with disabilities in certain schools and classrooms.

Charges listed are merely allegations. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. 




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