SALINE COUNTY  —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon in connection with an alleged burglary.

Just after 4 a.m. Thursday, a homeowner woke to find a man inside his home in the 300 block of S. 4th Street in Salina, according to police captain Gary Hanus.

The homeowner chased the suspect out of his house and down the sidewalk. He then went back inside to call police and heard his pickup starting and and being driving away.

Officers put out an attempt to locate and the 2003 silver Ford F-150 was stopped in the area of Centennial and Crawford in Salina.

After questioning, police arrested 53-year-old Billy Beamon on requested charges of aggravated burglary, felony theft, and driving while suspended.

Beamon had picked up the key to the F-150 while inside the victims home.  Beamon has previous convictions for aggravated assault and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Four defendants were charged Wednesday in an indictment alleging they “washed” $1 bills to produce counterfeit $100 bills that they passed during a shopping spree, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Steven Shane Escamilla, 30, Laguna Hills, Calif., Courtney Campbell, 37, Bouse, Ariz., John Sebestyen, 50, Mission Viejo, Calif., and Jonathan Washington, 33, no known address, are charged with conspiracy to commit counterfeiting. In addition, Escamilla is charged with one count of possessing counterfeit bills and one count of possessing methamphetamine; Campbell is charged with one count of possessing counterfeit bills and one count of possessing methamphetamine; Sebestyen is charged with one count of possessing counterfeit bills and one count of possessing methamphetamine and heroin; and Washington is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to documents filed with the court, an employee at a hotel in Overland Park contacted police to report that the defendants were acting suspiciously. They deposited trash in containers away from their rooms that contained evidence of criminal activity.

The indictment alleges that in some cases defendants purchased goods with counterfeit cash and then returned the goods for a refund at another branch of the same store.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Conspiracy: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Possessing counterfeit cash: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $4 million.

Possessing a controlled substance: Up to a year and a fine up to $1,000.

The Overland Park Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton is prosecuting.

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

A Kansas Congressman says he appreciates President Donald Trump’s efforts to soften the economic blow of his trade dispute with China, but adds farmers want more trade, not handouts.

Congressman Roger Marshall says he has told the White House that farmers simply want more opportunities to sell agricultural products abroad.

“We keep emphasizing what we want is open trade markets, not a handout, and I think the White House has received that loud and clear,” Marshall tells KFEQ Farm Director Melissa Gregory. “But, on the other hand, farm agricultural bankruptcies are up, record highs unfortunately across Kansas. Mental health issues, suicides are up as well. People are way behind on their loans. So, maybe this mitigation money will help some farmers stay afloat for another three to six months.”

It is not a long-term solution, though, according to Marshall. He says other trade opportunities need to be seized.

Marshall says a good start would be for Congress to vote on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement which would replace NAFTA.

Marshall, a Republican, accuses Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of refusing to bring USMCA to the floor for a vote, because she doesn’t want President Trump to win a victory.

“So, it’s very frustrating to me. I sure cannot control President Xi and the Chinese, but we could take USMCA off the uncertainty pile and move it over to the certainty,” according to Marshall. “I just want to emphasize that we trade four times more of our products with Mexico and Canada than we do with China. So, we need to get USMCA done yesterday.”

Marshall says expanded trade is vital to the agricultural economy. He says that is a message he has delivered to the president.

“And I pressed upon him just as hard as I could that Mr. President, we need to get USMCA done,” Marshall says. “We need to get China done, let alone the European Union and the Japanese markets. So, I think the upside is incredibly up, but it’s also hard times.”

MANHATTAN — The suspect arrested in connection with the May 9 shots fired incident at the KSU Foundation building has been identified as Erin Trent Boykin, 23, of Junction City, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report.

He is being held on a $50,000 bond on requested charges of attempted murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony, criminal damage to property; without consent value < $1000, aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon, criminal discharge of firearm; recklessly at occupied dwelling, according to the report.

Police determined that the individuals involved in the incident are not connected to the university.

The May 9 incident began on the east side of Manhattan off campus and continued to the parking lot north of the KSU Foundation Building, where shots were fired. There were no injuries.

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MANHATTAN — The Kansas State University Police Department has arrested a suspect in connection with the May 9 shots fired incident at the KSU Foundation at Kimball and Denison avenues, according to a media release from K-State.

The suspect is currently detained at the Riley County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property and criminal discharge of a firearm. Additional charges may be pursued. This is an ongoing investigation and names will not be released at this time.

Police determined that the individuals involved in the incident are not connected to the university.

The May 9 incident began on the east side of Manhattan off campus and continued to the parking lot north of the KSU Foundation Building, where shots were fired. There were no injuries.