MONTGOMERY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Independence Police Department, and the Coffeyville Police Department made numerous arrests Wednesday following a two-month-long joint investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs, according to a media release.

With the assistance of the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office, arrest warrants were issued and executed Aug. 29 in several locations in Montgomery County. The arrests were made for suspected distribution of drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, as well as for several additional drug related crimes.

The subjects were booked into the Montgomery County Jail.

Arrested during this operation were:
Junior L. Chrisman, 66, Coffeyville, for Distribution of Methamphetamine

Michelle M. Church, 48, Coffeyville, for Distribution of Methamphetamine
Marquis J. Fulcher, 35, Coffeyville, for Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of school property

Karie E. Wilson, 43, Independence, Distribution of Methamphetamine
Karina V. Wilson, 19, Independence, Distribution of Methamphetamine
Stacy L. Isle, 45, Coffeyville, for Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of school property

Lacrecia M. Hart, 29, Coffeyville, for Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of school property
James H. Jones Jr., 46, Coffeyville, for Distribution of Cocaine

 

Authorities have outstanding arrest warrants for the following subjects related to the operation:
Chris L. Bridgeman, 33, Independence, for Distribution of Marijuana
Grant E. Kinzer, 53, Coffeyville, for Distribution of Methamphetamine
Carrie E. Walker, 32, Coffeyville, for Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of school property
Justin W. Carpenter, 33, Coffeyville, Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of school property
Rhonda R. Johnson, 52, Coffeyville, Distribution of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property

If anyone knows the whereabouts of these individuals, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 620-330-1000.

The joint operation represented a coordinated law enforcement effort to combat drug violence and reduce the accessibility of illegal drugs impacting southeast Kansas. This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Wednesday in Pottawatomie County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Yamaha YZF-R6S driven by Raphael R. Byrd, 32, Chatanooga, TN., was eastbound on U.S. 24 at a high rate of speed.

After entering the city limits of St Marys, the motorcycle avoided a stopped 2002 Chrysler Town and County in the eastbound lane by entering the westbound lane.

While passing on the left, the motorcycle struck Robert J. Simonton, 27, St. Marys, in then and collided head-on with another parked vehicle.

Byrd and Simonton were transported to the hospital in Topeka. Byrd was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has updated and expanded a high-risk warning for West Nile virus infections in Kansas.

Only northeast is at moderate risk for WNV infections, according to a media release.

West Nile virus can be spread to people through mosquito bites, but it is not spread from person to person. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop swelling of the brain or brain tissue, that in some cases, can result in death. There are no vaccines or medications to treat WNV. People who have had WNV before are considered immune.

“Know your risk and take action to prevent mosquito bites to protect yourself and your family against West Nile virus”, said Dr. Greg Lakin, State Health Officer.”

KDHE recommends the following prevention measures:

• Visit the KDHE WNV website weekly to learn about the current WNV risk level;https://www.kdheks.gov/epi/arboviral_disease.htm
• When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Follow the directions on the package.
• Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times, or consider staying indoors during these hours.
• The elderly or those with a weakened immune system should consider limiting their exposure outside during dusk and dawn, when the Culex species mosquitos are most active.
• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
• Horses can also be infected with WNV. Talk with your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse to protect them against WNV.

Most WNV infections occur in the late summer and early fall. Although there have been no cases of WNV reported to KDHE in 2018 there have been more than 600 cases of the most severe form of WNV and 30 deaths in Kansas from 1999-2017.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides this webpage with additional information about West Nile virus and preventing mosquito bites: https://www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes/.  For questions about West Nile virus or other Arboviral diseases contact the KDHE Epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a violent crime.

Just after 8:30 p.m. on Friday August 3, a 47-year-old man and a 57-year-old female met with 30-year-old Alejandro Manjarrez, who is an acquaintance, at his home in the 100 block of north Meridian to sell a wench, according to officer Charley Davidson.

At the residence a verbal argument ensued between the two victims and Manjarrez.  The argument escalated to a physical disturbance and a shot being fired in the home, which did not strike anyone.

Manjarrez allegedly then forcibly removed the two victims from the home, had them get into their 2000 White Ford F150 and drove them to a remote location in Sedgwick County.  In the county the victims were let out of the vehicle and they were able to contact a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Officer patrolling in the area.  Manjarrez fled from the scene.

Through the investigation investigators were able to develop Manjarrez as a suspect and were working to contact him in reference to the case.

At approximately 1 a.m. Tuesday, Officers responded to an aggravated assault case at a residence in the 3100 block of north Amidion involving Manjarrez.  Upon Officers arriving Manjarrez was not there.  At approximately 11 a.m. Officers were able to contact him at the residence on Amidion, according to Davidson.

Police arrested Manjarrez was arrested and booked into jail on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, and possession of firearm by a felon.

Authorities also recovered the 2000 Ford F150 at the Amidion residence.

The investigation is ongoing and it will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office, according to Davidson.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A homeless man was indicted Wednesday on a federal charge of robbing a credit union in Topeka, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Robert Charles Frazier, 63, is charged with one count of robbery. The indictment alleges that on Aug. 20, 2018, he robbed the Azura Credit Union at 1129 South Kansas Avenue.

An off-duty Topeka police officer working security at the credit union arrested Frazier.

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

JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen for alleged criminal threat to students.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s office was informed Wednesday morning of a series of alleged criminal threats directed towards several area teenagers.

Officials with USD 337  took a pro-active approach by placing Royal Valley High SchoolSchool and Grade School on modified lockdown this morning and additional deputies were on scene for precautionary purposes.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that the suspect identified as 19-year-old Braden Charles Crowder was at a manufacturing plant in northwest Topeka, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Kansas State Troopers and Jackson County Detectives took Crowder into custody shortly before 1:30 pm on a Jackson County District Court warrant for criminal threat and telephone harassment.

Crowder was transported to the Jackson County Jail where a bond of $25,000.00 has been set, according to More.

JEWELL COUNTY – The Jewell County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) provide an update on the condition of the two Jewell County sheriff’s deputies who were shot Tuesday morning at the Sheriff’s Office in Mankato, Kan.

The Jewell County deputy who was treated at the local hospital was released late Tuesday afternoon and is now recovering at home. The Jewell County deputy being treated at a Salina, Kan. hospital continues to recover at the hospital and is currently in stable condition.

The names of the deputies will not be released in order to respect their privacy while they recover from their injuries.

RENO COUNTY — There were no injuries after a small plane made a crash landing just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1984 Air-Tractor fixed wing aircraft piloted by Peter Schellenberger, 24, Carlisle, Arkansas, was performing crop dusting near Centennial Road just north of Trails West Road approximately 12 miles West of Hutchinson.

The aircraft had a sudden power loss and crash landed in the ditch on east side of Centennial Road.

Schellenberger was not injured.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A teachers union has endorsed Democratic Sen. Laura Kelly in her bid for Kansas governor, casting her as an ally to education and warning her opponents will hurt schools.

The National Education Association’s Kansas chapter released a list Tuesday of recommended candidates for statewide, congressional and legislative races. The chapter said it evaluated the candidates through interviews and by reviewing their voting record.

Kelly has supported efforts to comply with state Supreme Court orders and provide adequate public school funding. Lawmakers lowered school funding in response to the 2008 economic recession and struggled to balance the budget after former Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax policy.

“I’m not new to the struggle educators and students have endured in recent years,” Kelly said. “I have fought against policies that put the interests of a select few ahead of the promise of opportunity for every Kansas student. Throughout my career, I have stood with our teachers and the professionals who are closest to our students in the classroom.”

Her Republican opponent, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, opposed a plan lawmakers passed this year to phase in a $522 million increase over the next five years. Kobach has supported a constitutional amendment that would get rid of the high court’s authority to decide whether funding is adequate. He also wants a mandate requiring that 75 percent of all education funding be spent in the classroom.

The Kansas National Education Association “is not looking out for the interests of teachers,” said Kobach spokeswoman Danedri Hebert. “Secretary Kobach’s proposal to spend 75 cents of every education dollar in the classroom would result in more money being spent on teacher salaries and less money being spent on redundant administrators.”

Critics of Kobach’s proposal have said he’s blurring the line between state funding and bonds that local taxpayers approve for construction projects. The proposal would also lead to cuts in areas like transportation, counseling and food to meet the 75 percent goal, according to critics.

Multiple KNEA members are Republican, said union spokesman Marcus Baltzell. But he said many Republican candidates declined to answer questions, contributing to the disparity between parties for recommended candidates.

“It’s not about partisanship one way or the other,” Baltzell said. “It’s about who stood up for Kansas children.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say in court filings that the U.S. Coast Guard found probable cause that the captain of a tourist boat that sank in Missouri, killing 17 people, committed misconduct, negligence or was inattentive to his duties.

The U.S. attorney’s office also said in motions filed Wednesday that the captain of a second duck boat that made it safely to shore when a storm came up on Table Rock Lake near Branson July 19 acted in a “grossly negligent manner” that day. The filing doesn’t elaborate on the allegations.

In the motion, federal prosecutors are asking the federal court based in Kansas City to delay the discovery process in any lawsuits filed against the operators of the Ride the Ducks tours until the criminal investigation is completed.