WICHITA – A former ICE officer was indicted today on a charge of impersonating a federal officer, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Andrew J. Pleviak, 42, Topeka, is charged with one count of false impersonation of a federal officer. In court documents, Pleviak is alleged to have tried to have a man who was arrested by the Kingman County Sheriff’s Department released from custody.

Juan Tapia-Alfaro was arrested after deputies allegedly found a Kansas driver’s license he fraudulently obtained using a birth certificate and Social Security number of a person living in Puerto Rico. On the same day, Pleviak is alleged to have called the Sheriff’s Department claiming to be a supervisor with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In fact, Pleviak was no longer an ICE employee. In 2018, he was convicted of violating a federal computer security statute.

On Sept. 3, 2019, Pleviak allegedly gave the Sheriff’s Department a letter on ICE letterhead claiming that Tapia-Alfaro was working as a confidential informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration and requesting charges be dropped. Sheriff’s Department officers saw through the ruse and arrested Pleviak on the spot.

According to court records, Tapia-Alfaro said he knew Pleviak from doing work on Pleviak’s house.

If convicted, Pleviak could face up to three years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Kingman County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.

FORD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities and USD 443 officials are investigating an alleged school threat and have made an arrest.

Just before 6a.m. Tuesday, police received information about a potential threat of violence to the high school in Dodge City, according to a media release.

Officers immediately began investigating the information and learned that a 14-year-old  high school student made a threat to shoot up the high school and mentioned the different weapons he would use.

Police located the boy at his residence where he was arrested without incident. A case will be filed with the Ford County Attorney’s Office for the alleged charge of felony criminal threat.

Police have made 6 arrests this school year alone for threats of school violence in Dodge City, according to the release.

 

ABILENE — A variety of activities are scheduled this weekend in recognition of President Dwight Eisenhower’s birth.

Unless otherwise noted, events are open to the public at no charge.

A museum rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene highlights the weekend celebration. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Saturday with a keynote address delivered by Mary Jean Eisenhower, Dwight and Mamie’s granddaughter.

The museum exhibits open for public viewing following the ribbon cutting at noon. Admission is free all day. This includes the museum exhibits and boyhood home tours. Tickets for scheduled, guided tours of the boyhood home are required and may be picked up in the visitors’ center or museum lobby.

“This ceremony marks the project as complete and we are thrilled to celebrate with our guests,” said Dawn Hammatt, Eisenhower Presidential Library director.

The project planning and fundraising phases were approximately a four-year undertaking with the exhibit renovation beginning in May 2018.

“The exhibits opened on July 29, but we felt it was important to celebrate this significant accomplishment during Eisenhower’s birthday weekend,” added Hammatt.

This is your opportunity to meet Ike and Mamie again…for the first time! Using Ike and Mamie’s own words, the new exhibits are complete with technology and interactive components. Examine historically significant artifacts and documents from the archives that reveal Dwight’s remarkable life. Follow Mamie as she becomes Ike’s life partner and they venture on “their career.” Hear Ike’s voice on issues ranging from D-Day to world peace in the new mini-theaters. Finally, reflect on Ike’s lifetime of public service and his legacy for the future.

Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero commented on Eisenhower’s importance in his own life.

“Many Americans felt a special connection to Ike. I did, and the Eisenhower Library found two letters I wrote him. One when I was 10 and included with my letter a toy stuffed elephant for him to share with his grandkids, and one when I was 14, stating ‘I admire you deeply,’ and asking for a signed photograph,” Ferriero said. “The new museum will offer those who remember Ike, and those who do not, a greatly enhanced opportunity to follow his remarkable career trajectory from ordinary boy to leader of the free world.”

Following is the full birthday weekend schedule.

Friday
4:30 p.m – Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Vigil Begins
(Kansas VFW Chapters stand guard at Dwight Eisenhower’s burial site)

Saturday
7:30 a.m. – VFW Vigil ends

9:30 a.m. – Presidential Wreath Laying Ceremony
(conducted by Ft. Riley on behalf of the President of the United States)

9:45 a.m. – American Legion Pilgrimage
(Kansas American Legion Posts travel to honor President Eisenhower’s birthday)

11 a.m. – Museum Rededication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
(Keynote Address presented by Mary Jean Eisenhower)

1 p.m. – Vintage Base Ball Game
(Dwight Eisenhower’s favorite sport)

5:30 p.m. – Eisenhower Foundation Legacy Gala
(Sold out ticketed event)

—eisenhowerlibrary.gov—

Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged criminal threat.

Just after 7:30p.m. Tuesday, police were called to the Salina Public Library, 301 West Elm Street after report of a disorderly subject, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

When the two officers arrived, they made contact with  31-year-old Victor Delatorre on the west side of the library.

Delatorre appeared to be intoxicated and allegedly was belligerent and yelling profanities, according to Forrester. During the conversation, Delartorre allegedly threatened to kill the two officers.

During the investigation, three library patrons including a 28-year-old woman a 22-year-old man, and an 18-year-old man told the officers that Delatorre walked up to them and threatened to shoot them, according to Forrester.

Police arrested Delatorre on requested charges that include Five counts of criminal threat, Disorderly subject and Obstruction/interference with a law enforcement officer.

He has a previous convictions for DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 4a.m. Wednesday in Sedgwick County.

A 2018 Kia Sportage driven by Stephen McClain, 72, Wichita, was westbound in the eastbound lanes of West Kellogg at Maize in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

The vehicle collided head-on with a Chevy Silverado driven by a 50-year-old man.

McClain was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Davidson. The other driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation, according to Davidson.