WICHITA, KAN. – Kansas business owner Brandon Steven pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal gambling charge and agreed to forfeit more than $1 million, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Brandon Steven photo courtesy Eddy’s Toyota
He was sentenced to three years on probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.
Steven, 45, Wichita, pleaded guilty to one count of being an accessory after the fact to the unlawful transmission of wagering information.
In his plea, Steven admitted he acted in cooperation with co-defendant Daven Flax, who was conducting illegal private poker games.
Participants were notified via text messaging about the games. The texts also contained information about payments or collections of money. After games, Steven concealed the involvement of Flax and others by hiding handwritten ledgers or computerized records detailing gambling credits, earnings and obligations of the gambling business.
SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged kidnapping, robbery and battery in Salina.
Toney-photo Saline Co.
On Monday, police were called to the Budget King, 809 N. Broadway, Salina after a family member reported that a 20-year-old male victim who had been beaten was there, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus.
After further investigation, officers discovered two individuals had allegedly held the victim against his will, taken him to several locations and took property from him.
Police arrested one of the suspects, Mona Toney, 18, Salina, on requested charges of of aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping and battery, according to Hanus. Police continue looking for a known male suspect in the case.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — Officials say vandals have spray painted apparent references to a Peru prison massacre on a wall at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City.
.@MAMmetals and @DSGequipment are both donating their services for the restoration of the wall today. We can’t thank them enough for their generosity and joyful help! Thanks to everyone for your messages of solidarity this morning. pic.twitter.com/l9AyxBbP1Q
The museum’s “Dedication Wall” was defaced with red spray paint that said, “Glory to the fallen martyrs of El Frontòn, Callao, Lurigallcho.” The text apparently is in relation to the 33rd anniversary of prison massacres in Peru that resulted in more than 200 deaths.
Museum spokesman Mike Vietti says police have opened an investigation into the matter. He says Stephen Haith, owner of DSG Equipment and Supplies, has offered to clean the stone portion of the wall at no cost.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the mother of a 2-year-old Kansas girl who reported the child missing on Sunday.
Ronetta Ann Clement, 34, Wichita, alleged that her child’s father had placed the child in danger, according to Captain Brent Allred.
Ronetta Ann Clement-photo Sedgwick County
Clement told police Sunday that the father was refusing to return custody of the child and that he made homicidal and suicidal statements, according to Allred. Based on the information an attempt to locate was placed for the man and the child so police could check their welfare and further investigate what had actually occurred.
Detectives and officers worked overnight Sunday and through the day Monday to locate them. Late Monday afternoon following a second interview with Clement, detectives learned information that contradicted what she told police Sunday, according to Allred.
On Monday evening, police were able to locate the child with her grandmother and check her welfare and she appeared to be fine. Police then arrested 34-year-old Ronetta Ann Clement in the 2400 Block of South St. Clair in Wichita, according to Allred.
Alton James, Jr. photo Wichita PD
The father, Alton James, is wanted on warrants and didn’t want to be in contact with police at this time, according to Allred. “He has some things he needs to take care of.”
Law enforcement supervisors, detectives and officer spent over 117 hours investigating this case when they could have used the time on other cases Monday that impact children, according to Allred.
Clement remains in the Sedgwick County Jail on requested felony charges of interference with Law enforcement officer, false information concerning death, disappearance of a child, according to Wichita Police arrest reports and online Sedgwick County jail records.
Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for possible charges.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Police Department located missing 2-year-old Anyla James Monday evening, according to officer Paul Cruz. She is safe.
Late Monday, police reported they have arrested a 34-year-old woman in connection with the case, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.
Police booked Ronetta Ann Clement into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of interference with law enforcement officer, false information concerning death, disappearance of a child, according to Wichita Police arrest reports and online Sedgwick County jail records.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Police Department located 2-year-old Anyla James Monday evening, according to officer Paul Cruz. She is safe.
Police reported late Monday they have arrested a 34-year-old woman in connection with the case, according to office Kevin Wheeler.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for assistance in locating 2-year-old Anyla James. Late Monday afternoon, police released an update the search for her and her father.
Alton James, Jr. photo Wichita PDAnyla James photo Wichita PD
“The Wichita Police Department (WPD) continues to investigate the case involving 2-year-old Anyla James. Through the investigation today we have found conflicting information and new information that has surfaced about her well-being. We are still asking for the community’s help in locating her so that we may check her welfare.
We have learned that Anyla is with her father, and has been in his custody for several weeks. We do not believe Anyla is in any danger based on the new information we have received.
The WPD takes the safety and well-being of children serious. We will continue to speak with all of the involved parties to get a complete story as to what occurred.”
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SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for assistance in locating 2-year-old Anyla James, who is believed to be in danger and is with her biological father Alton James, Jr.
Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a suicidal person at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of North Woodlawn, according to Captain Brent Allred.
Officers at the scene met a woman who is the mother of 2-year-old Anyla James. She reported being in a custody dispute with the child’s father, 28-year-old Alton James who lawfully has custody of the child.
The mother and the Alton James had agreed to meet at that location, according to Allred.
The mother alleged that James had refused to return the child and had made statements regarding the child’s safety.
Police were unable to locate James or the child and issued an attempt to locate. The situation did not meet the criteria for the KBI to issue an amber alert, according to Allred, because the girl was not abducted.
Police want to talk to her father about the child’s welfare and to get a better understanding of what occurred on Sunday, according to Allred.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for assistance in locating 2-year-old Anyla James, who is believed to be in danger and is with her biological father Alton James, Jr.
According to a media release from Wichita police, Anyla is described as a black female, 3-feet and 40 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen in the 2300 block of north Woodlawn, wearing a pink shirt, white leggings with red hearts and pink shoes.
Police have no information on the the vehicle.
There is no vehicle information to provide. The WPD has issued an attempt to locate for Anyla under case number 19C037820. Based on the information currently available this case does not meet the KBI Amber Alert requirements.
Police ask that anyone with information or knows the whereabouts of Anyla or Alton please call 911.
16.5 tons of cocaine seized at the port in Philadelphia photo courtesy WTXF-TV
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — U.S. authorities have seized more than $1 billion worth of cocaine from a ship at a Philadelphia port, calling it one of the largest drug busts in American history.
This is one of the largest drug seizures in United States history. This amount of cocaine could kill millions – MILLIONS – of people. My Office is committed to keeping our borders secure and streets safe from deadly narcotics. https://t.co/nWPfgpGqYa
— US Attorney William M. McSwain (@USAttyMcSwain) June 18, 2019
The U.S. attorney’s office in Philadelphia announced the massive bust on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon. Officials said agents seized about 16.5 tons of cocaine from a large ship at the Packer Marine Terminal.
U.S. Attorney William McSwain said in a tweet that so much cocaine “could kill millions — MILLIONS — of people.”
The drug seizure is the latest in a series of large cocaine busts along the East Coast.
Authorities say members of the ship’s crew have been arrested and charged.
Phyllis Irene (Harbaugh) Bodine, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday the 15th of June 2019 in Russell, KS.
Phyllis was born March 27, 1925 on her parent’s farm on Big Creek southwest of Russell. She spent her early years on the farm, until moving to Great Bend in the 7th grade. She married Bob Bodine in 1946, who was an airman stationed in Great Bend during World War II. They lived in Great Bend, followed by service at air bases in Wyoming and Michigan, before Phyllis moved to Colorado Springs in 1958. There she found work at First National Bank of Colorado Springs, where she worked in various roles until her retirement in 1985. She retired to a small house she had moved to the farm of her youth on Big Creek. Later she moved into town, residing for over 10 years at Lincoln Manor in Russell. Phyllis was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church for over 30 years. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, dogs and reading, and was an avid student of the Bible. Although childless, she shared her love and care with countless nieces, nephews, their children, and even their grand children, generously sharing her books, experiences, and love.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, James and Bertha (Ringeisen) Harbaugh, brothers Earnest, Lloyd, James, Willis, Ralph, Richard and Warren, and sisters June and Lillie Jean. She is survived by her younger sister Bonnie. Although childless, she shared her love and care with countless nieces, nephews, their children, and even their grand children, generously sharing her books, experiences, and love.
A graveside memorial service to celebrate Phyllis’ life will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, June 21, 2019, at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Burial of the ashes will follow the graveside service. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the memorial service arrangements.
SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities have identified the driver who died in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Shawnee County.
Monday’s fatal crash scene photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV
The the crash occurred at the intersection of SE 21st and SE Washington Street in Topeka, according to Gretchen Koenen with Topeka Police.
At the scene, officers located the driver of one vehicle identified as 80-year-old Cornelia M. Moon of Topeka. She and her passenger 70-year-old Ernest E. Mildfeldt were transported to a local hospital where Moon died, according to police.
He remains in critical but stable condition.
The driver and only occupant of the second vehicle 18-year-old Lintrell D. Tibbs of Topeka was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY– One person died in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Shawnee County.
Topeka police reported the crash occurred at the intersection of SE 21st and SE Washington Street in Topeka.
At the scene, officers located the driver of one vehicle and the passenger of the same vehicle suffering from life-threatening injuries. Both were transported to a local hospital by American Medical Response.
The driver succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The passenger remains in critical condition.
The driver and only occupant of the second vehicle was not injured. The crash remains under investigation. Police did not release names of those involved.
Karen G. Nicholson, 81, passed away June 17, 2019, at Almost Home, Great Bend. She was born January 18, 1938, at Hoisington to Franklin and Velma (Winter) Herthel. She married Bill Nicholson on August 7, 1960, at Hoisington. They later divorced.
A lifetime Hoisington and Great Bend resident, Karen was a teacher for USD 428, retiring in 1998 after 36 years of teaching. Karen was a graduate of Hoisington High School Class of 1956. She attended Kansas State University, where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education and Fort Hays State University, receiving her Master’s of Education degree. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, PEO, Retired Teacher’s Association, and Kappa Kappa Gamma Social Sorority. Karen enjoyed traveling, teaching, her grandchildren, her social groups, and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include, one son, Michael Nicholson and wife Tammy of Great Bend; and four grandchildren, Ryan Nicholson, Drew Nicholson, Addy Nicholson, and Ben Nicholson. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Ivan Beetz; one daughter, Becky Nicholson; and one brother, Doug Herthel.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 21, 2019, at First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, with Pastor Morita Truman presiding. Interment will be in the Hoisington Cemetery.
Memorials have been suggested to Almost Home, Inc. or the Becky Nicholson Scholarship/Kans for Kids, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Teddy Allen photo Sedgwick CountyWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State has dismissed Teddy Allen after he was arrested last week following a disturbance at a woman’s home.
Athletic director Darron Boatright said Tuesday he and Coach Gregg Marshall wished Allen well but decided his dismissal was best for the basketball program.
Allen was arrested last Thursday after a woman accused him of causing a disturbance at her home, destroying her iPhone and stealing keys before fleeing on foot. He was later charged with domestic violence property crime and petty theft, both misdemeanors. He faces a July 29 arraignment.
Allen, a 6-foot-5 forward, transferred from West Virginia and sat out last season after the NCAA denied his request for a waiver to play immediately. Nicknamed “Teddy Buckets” for his scoring ability, Allen was expected to start this coming season.
Marshall said in a statement that he was disappointed and regretted that he couldn’t help Allen more.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a member of the Wichita State men’s basketball team after a Thursday arrest.
Just after 3:30 a.m.Thursday, police responded to a domestic disturbance call at a residence in the 1800 block of North Doreen in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
A 23-year-old female resident told police Teddy Allen, 21, a member of the Wichita State University Basketball team, came to the home, battered her, took and broke her cell phone and took keys belonging to another 27-year-old female resident.
Police arrested Allen in the 1700 Block of North Gentry in Wichita, according to the Wichita Police Department Booking report. He was jailed on requested charges that include theft of property or services, domestic violence and criminal damage to property.
He posted bond and was no longer in custody Thursday morning, according to online Sedgwick County jail records.
Allen was the Nebraska Gatorade High School Player of the Year in 2017, according to the bio from Wichita State. He sat out last season per NCAA rules after he transferred to Wichita State from West Virginia. He appeared in 35 games for the Mountaineers.
The case will be reviewed by the City of Wichita Prosecutors Office, according to Davidson.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a member of the Wichita State men’s basketball team after a Thursday arrest.
Teddy Allen, 21, was arrested Thursday in the 1700 Block of North Gentry in Wichita, according to the Wichita Police Department Booking report. He was jailed on requested charges that include theft of property or services and criminal damage to property.
He posted bond and was no longer in custody Thursday morning, according to online Sedgwick County jail records.
Allen was the Nebraska Gatorade High School Player of the Year in 2017, according to the bio from Wichita State. He sat out last season per NCAA rules after he transferred to Wichita State from West Virginia. He appeared in 35 games for the Mountaineers.
Dr. Gene Deutscher, of North Platte, passed away at Linden Court on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the age of 78, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Deutscher was Professor Emeritus of UNL Dept. of Animal Science and the Research Center at North Platte.
Gene was born December 12, 1940, on the family farm west of Ellis, Kansas. He was the youngest of six children born into the German Christian family of Emil and Jennie Deutscher. Gene played basketball and graduated with honors from Ellis High School in 1958 then served two years in the U.S. Army in a Supply and Transportation Company.
In 1963 Gene married Karen Lofstead in Ellis and had three children, Deborah Jo who died at birth, Krystal and Brett. After his divorce in 1987, Gene met and later married Judy Bostwick on August 19, 1989, at the First Lutheran Church in North Platte where they made their home.
Gene’s formal education continued when he attended Kansas State University and graduated with a B.S. in Animal Husbandry. He later entered graduate school in 1968 at Oklahoma State University, earning his Master’s Degree in 1970 and Doctorate Degree in 1972, both in animal breeding and reproductive physiology. Dr. Deutscher went on to accept an Assistant Professor position at South Dakota State University as a beef cattle research scientist. In 1978, after six years at SDSU, he moved his family to Nebraska and joined the University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte as the first beef cattle reproduction and breeding specialist.
Dr. Deutscher’s research and extension programs emphasized the improvement of cattle production through reducing calving difficulty and calf losses, heifer development, estrous synchronization and new breeding programs, including sexed sperm. His research on using heifer pelvic measurements and calf birth weights to reduce dystocia was internationally acclaimed. Dr. Deutscher went on to become a popular guest speaker at conferences across the U.S., was a consultant in Argentina and Australia, supervised several graduate students as they went on to complete their degrees, and authored a beef handbook bulletin. Over 150 scientific and extension publications resulted from his research.
Dr. Deutscher retired in 2000 and at his University retirement celebration was quoted as saying, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Gene cared about people and always tried to do research and education programs that would help ranchers improve cattle production.
In 2013 he established the Gene Deutscher Fellowship in Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiology Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation, which with the help of others, will fund one or more fellowships to Animal Science graduate students participating in research being done at the West Central Research and Extension Center.
Gene was a committed believer and Christian throughout his life. He was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church where he served on church council and the finance committee, was treasurer of the building fund, organizer of the stained glass window project and Endowment Fund Chairman. While a member of First Lutheran Church, Gene served 11 years in Christian Education. He was also Scholarship Chairman of Elks Lodge #985 for 10 years and a member of the American Legion.
During his retirement years, Gene liked raising and selling Gelbvieh-Angus cattle and enjoyed driving his pick-up through pastures just to check on them. He also enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and sharing his produce. Gene looked forward to attending Husker football games with his family and friends and liked taking vacations with Judy and their kids and grandkids.
Along with all his work, research and dedication to beef reproduction, Gene will be remembered as a loving, caring and compassionate Christian man.
Gene is survived by his wife, Judy, of North Platte; children, Krystal (Jak) Konrad, of Phoenix, Arizona and Brett (Mary) Deutscher, of San Jose, California; grandchildren, Devynn and Cassidy Deutscher; sisters, Alberta Breit and Hermine Burg, both of Long Beach, California; as well as other family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter; brothers, Verlin and Emil, Jr. Deutscher; and sister, Carol Keller.
Funeral Service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at Messiah Lutheran Church with Reverend Rebecca Mangelsdorf officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday with family greeting friends from 4-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Gene Deutscher Fellowship in Beef Cattle Reproduction Fund or Messiah Lutheran Church Endowment Scholarship Fund to help others. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.
The Ellis County Commission auctioned off two properties Tuesday morning in Ellis County District Court as part of a sheriff’s tax sale.
In all, there were six properties eligible for foreclosure because of lack of payment for three or more years.
The first property, 212 W. 10th in Ellis, previously owned by Refugio Delarosa, sold for $6,5000 Tuesday.
The other property that sold Tuesday was located at 119 Cheyenne in Schoechen for $5,700. The property previously was owned by Anthony Loreg.
A second property, owned by Delarosa at 208 W. 12th St. in Ellis, did not sell. A second property in Schoenchen owned by Loreg at 0 Church St. also did not sell.
Property at 1201 Ash in Victoria, owned by Candice Kay Funk-Loffredi, also did not sell.
Also in Ellis, the property at 1309 Fauteux also did not sell.
The buyers are responsible for back taxes in 2017 and 2018.
County Counselor Bill Jeter said the county plans to continue to have one tax sale a year going forward.
Copy of the malware message that appeared on the Sunflower Bank website Monday. Image from Salina Police Department
UPDATE 3:30 p.m. Tuesday:
Statement from Sunflower Bank regarding reports of fraud in Salina:
There have been recent reports of fraud in Salina, Kansas and a malware message appearing to come from Sunflower Bank was shared in the news.
We take our security, and the security of our customers very seriously. Upon learning of these reports, we immediately reviewed our security protocols to confirm the issue was not present in our environment. We actively monitor our environment 24/7 to ensure security protocols remain effective. The message that was shared appears to be from pdfmaker-live and is not associated with Sunflower Bank or its websites. Learn about removing this plug-in from your browser here:https://www.myantispyware.com/2018/09/20/how-to-remove-install-pdf-maker-com-pop-up-ads-chrome-firefox-ie-edge/.
We ask that our customers review their accounts regularly and reach out to us if they see anything that looks out-of-the-norm. Combatting fraud is a united effort and our customers are good at partnering with us to help identify and tackle situations as they arise.
All web users should be cognizant of devices they are using, make sure systems are updated regularly, and be cautious of online requests. These are common best practices to avoid falling victim to fraud and other scams:
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are assisting with an investigation of alleged fraudulent use of Sunflower Bank customers accounts.
As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, the Salina Police Department had received 49 individual calls from Sunflower Bank customers whose accounts had been compromised, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus.
The Saline County sheriff’s office had received six calls from residents living outside the Salina city limits whose accounts had been compromised, according to Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander.
The cases appear to be related to those with which the police are dealing.
Both Hanus and Melander said their agencies are writing outside agency assist reports for law enforcement in the locations where the crimes occurred.
Hanus also said he was aware of transactions on Sunflower accounts in Wichita, the suburbs of Wichita, Hutchinson, and one location in Texas.
In some instances, Sunflower customers’ debit card information was used for purchases and in others, Sunflower Bank ATMs were used, according to Hanus.
Both Hanus and Melander said they did not know the total number of Sunflower customers affected nor the total amount lost by Sunflower customers.
Hanus said law enforcement personnel believe a redirect malware on the Sunflower Bank website was at least partially to blame for the breach. He provided a screenshot of a message that appeared on the Sunflower Bank website. The message has since been taken down.
Hanus encouraged all persons to check their financial accounts regularly for suspicious activity.
