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Former Kan. officer accused of sexual contact with woman under arrest

Davis – photo Crawford Co.

GIRARD, Kan. (AP) — A former Pittsburg police officer is charged after he allegedly coerced a woman he had arrested into improper sexual contact in exchange for helping her in her legal case.

Twenty-two-year-old Jessie Edward Loren Davis, of Carthage, Missouri, surrendered at the Crawford County jail Tuesday. He is charged with aggravated sexual battery and official misconduct.

Investigators say Davis was taking a woman involved in a domestic disturbance to jail on Aug. 26 when he allegedly told her he would help her with the case if he could touch her breasts. The woman told investigators she allowed Davis to touch her out of fear about what would happen if she didn’t.

Davis was fired after the incident was reported. It wasn’t clear if he had an attorney.

Police apologize; detained family attempting to cash $150K check at Kan. bank

The Wichita bank involved in the transaction-google image

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities issued an apology to a family over what initially was believed to be a forged check for a large sum at a bank in Wichita.

In a media release Wednesday, the Wichita Police Department (WPD) said officers followed department policy regarding forgery calls.

Chief Gordon Ramsay said the officers’ actions in this case are documented through written reports, body worn camera video, bank surveillance video, and a 911 call.

Just after 12:30 p.m. on September 6, WPD officers were dispatched to Emprise Bank (2140 N. Woodlawn) regarding a reported forgery in progress. The information relayed was that a man approached a bank employee with a “fake” $151,000 check.

One Kansas Highway Patrol Officer, one Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Officer, and two Wichita Police Officers initially responded to the call. During the 911 call, an Emprise Bank employee reported the check was altered, forged, and lacking watermarks. The employee stated the check was from a bank in Michigan, but the routing number on the check revealed the bank was actually in Cleveland. The bank was unable to verify the legitimacy of the check.

Following department policies, WPD continued to investigate the matter and financial crime Detectives were involved. The family was transported to the WPD Investigations Division, arriving at 1:43 p.m. Soon after, Detectives were able to verify the legitimacy of the check after making additional calls. The verification occurred about 48 minutes after the family’s arrival at the Investigations Divisions.

WPD officials apologized to the family for the misunderstanding and transported them back to their vehicle.

“Even though WPD Officers followed policy, we feel bad for what happened in the course of the investigation,” said Chief Gordon Ramsay, who has reached out to the family. “When unfortunate situations such as this one arise, it creates an opportunity for dialogue between the police and the community. That dialogue can help us improve.”

Kan. domestic battery suspect jailed after K-9 finds him hiding in garage

Smiley-photo Shawnee Co.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged domestic violence.

Just after 11:30p.m. Tuesday, a police officer on patrol noticed a vehicle which was the object of an attempt to locate traveling in the 2700 Block of SW Burlingame in Topeka, according to a media release. When the officer attempted to initiate a stop, the driver, later identified as Nicholas Scott Smiley, 36, Topeka, drove away.

After a short pursuit, Smiley fled the vehicle in the 2000 Block of SW Lincoln. Police established a perimeter and with the help of K-9 team found Smiley hiding in a nearby garage.

Police booked Smiley into the Shawnee County Jail on charges of Aggravated Assault, Domestic Battery,

Criminal Restraint, Flee and Elude Police, Possession of Drug paraphernalia and for other traffic violations.

Smiley has a previous conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. The KDOC does not list details of his conviction.

Kan. man accused in Somali apartment complex bomb plot blames others

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on three men accused of plotting to bomb a Kansas apartment complex housing Somali refugees

Gavin Wright, Curtis Allen and Patrick Stein are charged with domestic terrorism

A man accused of planning to bomb a Kansas apartment complex that houses Somali refugees says he was unaware his co-defendants intended to carry out the attack.

Gavin Wright made the argument in a court motion filed Wednesday that offers the first details at his defense strategy.

His attorney filed the 93-page document during a hearing where she asked that Wright be released pending trial. The judge hasn’t ruled on the request.

Wright and co-defendants Patrick Stein and Curtis Allen are charged with conspiring to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex in Garden City, a meatpacking town about 200 miles (322 kilometers) west of Wichita. They’ve pleaded not guilty.

Wright’s motion is redacted, but it portrays Wright as a lonely man desperate to find friends after moving to rural western Kansas. It contends Wright believed the talk about surveillance of the Somali Muslim refugee community was only hyperbole.

Injured Kansas officer goes to rehab center in Texas

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita officer recovering from injuries suffered when he was run over by a stolen car earlier this year has been transferred to a rehabilitation center in Texas.

Brian Arterburn flew to Texas on Tuesday after spending several months at a Colorado hospital. He’s expected to continue rehabilitation until he’s cleared to go home. The 25-year police veteran was unconscious for multiple days after being hit by the car in February. He began walking again while at Craig Hospital in Colorado.

Arterburn was an officer assigned to the Wichita Police Department’s Patrol South bureau when he was hurt. Justin Terrazas is accused of driving the vehicle. He is charged with aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer and other felonies in connection with the case.

White Sox score two in the ninth, beat Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia drove in runs in the ninth inning as the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Wednesday.

Abreu’s sacrifice fly scored Tim Anderson, who led off the inning with a single, took second on a wild pitch by Scott Alexander (4-4) and stole third.

Garcia’s single to center scored Yoan Moncada with the second run. Garcia is hitting an American League-leading .432 against left-handed pitchers.

The Royals tied the score at 3 in the eighth. Alcides Escobar singled in one run, while pinch runner Terrance Gore scored the other on an Alex Gordon groundout.

Juan Minaya (3-2) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up the victory. The White Sox won two of three in the series.

Royals starter Eric Skoglund lasted only three innings and 66 pitches, giving up three runs on five hits.

White Sox starter Lucas Giolito yielded one run, a homer by Salvador Perez in the sixth inning, in 6 1/3 innings.

Adam Miller concert at HPL Sept. 18

Monday, September 18, 6 PM – 7 PM at the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main St. Adam Miller is a folk music collector and autoharp virtuoso. People of all ages will enjoy his music! Free admission and kid-friendly.

Plainville man sentenced to nearly seven years after fatal accident

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

A Plainville man will spend almost seven years in prison for the 2016 accident that killed his fiancé and left him severely injured.

In July, 35-year-old Matthew Miller pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter/driving under the influence and aggravated battery/driving under the influence, both felonies, for his role in the 2016 accident on Highway 183 north of Hays.

Miller was sentenced Wednesday in Ellis County District Court to 50 months on the involuntary manslaughter charge and 32 months for the aggravated battery charge for a total of 82 months in prison.

Miller’s fiancée Kay Crumble, 36, Plainville, was killed in the accident.

The crash report from the Kansas Highway Patrol stated Miller was driving a Buick LaSabre south on Highway 183, 13 miles north of Hays on Nov. 20, 2016, when the car crossed left of center, colliding head-on with a Dodge Stratus driven by Jon Olson, Hays. Olson and Miller both sustained injuries.

The probable cause affidavit reported a number of witnesses reported seeing the Buick cross the centerline and make no attempt to stop or avoid the collision. The affidavit also reported Miller told his sister he wanted to “go see our mom,” who had passed away five years earlier.

At Wednesday’s sentencing, Miller’s attorney, Olavee Raub, requested the judge run the sentences concurrently, meaning Miller would serve his sentence of 32 months at the same time he was serving 50 months.

Raub said Miller recognized he had addiction issues and sought treatment prior to the accident and had expressed “deep remorse.”

She also said he has taken full responsibility for the accident and will have to deal with the aftermath of suffering severe injuries and must deal with the loss of his fiancée.

Miller’s sister Stephanie Dick testified on his behalf Wednesday and described the injuries Miller suffered in the accident. Those include a traumatic brain injury, 19 broken ribs, a broken arm and leg. Dick said Miller has had five surgeries and will continue to undergo rehabilitation.

Dick said Miller is limited by the brain injury and has shown remorse.

Miller addressed the court during allocution and said he was remorseful for what happened and, “nothing can bring her (Crumble) back.”

He also asked the judge to run the sentences concurrently so he can be a part of his kids’ lives. Miller has three kids and Dick said he also had a close relationship with Crumble’s children.

“My kids still need me out there,” Miller said. “Her kids need me out there.”

District Judge Glenn Braun said he did not believe Miller has taken full responsibility for the accident because he pleaded no contest and instead of guilty.

“The affidavit makes it appear it wasn’t an accident,” Braun said.

Braun also said the injuries Miller suffered in the accident were that of his own doing.

The fact Miller was on probation at the time of the accident for an incident in Missouri and he had 11 prior convictions also factored into Braun’s decision to run the sentences consecutively.

He will be transferred to the Department of Corrections for the remainder of his sentence.

Mason Leo Hockersmith

Mason Leo Hockersmith, age 42, of Lincoln Nebraska died at home Wednesday, September 6, 2017. Mason was born in Saint Francis, Kansas on November 23, 1974 to Donald and Eileen (Goetz) Hockersmith.

Beginning his teenage years, Mason accomplished an expert BMX racing record. In 1993, he graduated from East High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Mason was an auto mechanic early in life leading to his diesel mechanic career, and along the way other accomplishments included sheet metal journeyman and HVAC technician. He was also a motorcycle enthusiast and an avid sports fan.

Mason and Emi Gregg (deceased) of Cheyenne, Wyoming were united in marriage August 11, 2000 and divorced in February of 2008.

Mason was preceded in death by his grandparents Myrtis (Terpening) Hockersmith, Joe Hockersmith, Imo Jean (Goble) Hockersmith, Leo Goetz and Rose Mary (Ochs) Goetz. Survivors include his parents Don and Eileen (Goetz) Hockersmith of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and a brother Ryan Hockersmith of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 22, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park. Inurnment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery following mass.

There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery or Masses. Donations to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South St., Quinter, KS 67752.

Condolences may be left online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Veterans Crisis Line Call Center announced for Topeka VA

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies – today applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs’ decision to open a Veterans Crisis Line Call Center at the Topeka VA Medical Center campus.

“I am pleased the VA chose Topeka as the location for its new Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) call center and that the VA is following through on its commitment to meet the needs of veterans in crisis,” said Sen. Moran. “Secretary Shulkin has made suicide prevention a top priority, and expanding the VCL to additional locations and increasing crisis responders is critical to providing veterans with the support they need, when they need it. I will continue working with the VA to make certain no veteran feels abandoned by the country they served when they make the brave decision to seek mental health services.”

About the VA Crisis Line (provided by the VA):

· This call center will be the third Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), in addition to the existing call centers in Canandaigua, N.Y. and Atlanta, Ga.
· The new call center, to be located on the campus of VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, will provide support for expansion of the ‘automatic transfer’ function, Press 7, into Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and Vet centers, improving access to the VCL in the coming months.
· Since the launch of the VCL in 2007, they have answered nearly three million calls and initiated the dispatch of emergency services to callers in imminent crisis nearly 84,000 times. Since launching a chat option in 2009 and text services in 2011, the VCL has engaged on nearly 359,000 chats and more than 78,000 text requests.
· Veterans in crisis may contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1. They can also text or chat with our trained professionals online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Kansas jail deputy arrested for alleged DUI after crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a DUI crash involving a Kansas sheriff’s office detention deputy.

Just after 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Wichita Police Department responded to a vehicle collision at Mount Vernon and Edgemoor, according to a media release from Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter.

The driver of one of the vehicles involved in the collision is a detention deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and has been for almost two years.

The driver displayed signs of impairment, was arrested by the Wichita Police Department, and was booked in to jail on allegations of Driving Under the Influence.

The DUI case is being investigated by the Wichita Police Department and an internal investigation will be conducted by the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

Name of the deputy was not released.

Kan. sheriff’s lieutenant accused of stealing cash seized as evidence

ABILENE, Kan. (AP) — A former central Kansas sheriff’s lieutenant is charged with stealing cash that was seized as evidence.

Greg Swanson will make his first appearance next month on felony charges of theft, official misconduct and criminal solicitation. The complaint filed last month alleges that he stole between $1,500 and $25,000 from 2012 through January.

Swanson began working for the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office in 2009 after 19 years with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.

Dickinson County Sheriff Gareth Hoffman didn’t immediately respond to phone or email inquiries from the newspaper about how the accusations against Swanson might affect cases in which the former drug task force agent was expected to testify or has testified.

Swanson’s phone number isn’t publicly listed, and court records don’t list his attorney.

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