PLATTE CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas man is accused of fatally shooting a motorist from Texas during what authorities described as a road rage confrontation in Missouri.

Prosecutors in Missouri’s Platte County near Kansas City charged 22-year-old Bobby Crumpton of Wichita with second-degree murder in the Friday night death of Clinton Alsobrook.

Authorities say they found 35-year-old Alsobrook of Charlotte, Texas, dead and unarmed in his bullet-riddled sport utility vehicle Friday night. The vehicle was lodged on an embankment, its engine running.

Court records allege Crumpton told police Alsobrook hit his vehicle, forcing both vehicles off the road. Crumpton allegedly said he feared for his life when he fired after Alsobrook tried to drive toward him.

Online court records Monday didn’t show whether Crumpton has an attorney. His bond was set at $100,000.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback isn’t ruling out a tax increase next year to balance the state budget even though he thinks it would be harmful to raise taxes with agriculture in a slump.

Brownback had a Statehouse news conference Monday to tout what he sees as several successes that include highway projects and a reading program for struggling third-graders.

Income tax cuts championed by the Republican governor have become a key issue in legislative races as Kansas has struggled to balance its budget.

Brownback says Kansas is facing a “rural recession” because of slumps in agriculture and energy production. He said a big tax increase would be “very harmful.”

But asked whether he would rule out a tax increase, he said, “I’m not ruling anything in or out.”

OSAGE COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Osage County are investigating suspects for hunting violations.

Following a citizen’s report of illegal shooting from a rural road, Kansas Game Warden responded and located the suspect’s vehicle in a nearby county, according to a social media report.

The wardens found two deer allegedly killed by the hunters, who were from the local area, according to KDWP&T Captain Dan Melson

They warden confiscated the guns and issued citations.

Charges against the hunters and the amount of the fine were not released.

 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the arrest of three men accused of plotting to attack Somali immigrants in Kansas (all times local):

2 p.m.

The family of one of three men accused of plotting to attack Somali immigrants in western Kansas says they are “extremely grateful” to law enforcement for intervening.

Patrick Eugene Stein’s family issued a statement Monday through their lawyer, Dan Monnat, saying they were shocked and devastated to learn of the alleged plot. They say they do “not support discrimination of any sort and have never advocated or condoned violence as a solution to differences.”

Prosecutors allege that Stein, Curtis Wayne Allen and Gavin Wayne Wright were part of an anti-Muslim, anti-government and anti-immigrant militia group called “the Crusaders” and that they were planning to detonate truck bombs around a small Garden City apartment complex where about 120 Somalis live.

The trio are accused of conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction. They appeared in court earlier Monday and were appointed lawyers, who later declined to comment.

ROXANA HEGEMAN, Associated Press

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Emails obtained by The Associated Press show a top U.S. elections official left behind an unfolding scandal in Kansas where he was having an affair with a woman he promoted in his previous job and used her to skirt oversight of their lavish expenses.

Brian Newby is now executive director of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

The affair and much of the fallout at the Johnson County elections office where he previously worked are revealed in emails ordered released after AP sued Johnson County.

Those emails and hundreds more AP obtained from the Kansas secretary of state’s office through a separate open records request show a toxic workplace whose finances prompted an investigation by a local prosecutor.

Newby did not respond to numerous messages seeking comment.

SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating two suspects on drug charges.

Just before 1a.m. on Saturday, a Saline County Deputy clocked an eastbound vehicle going 85 miles-per-hour near the Hedville-Culver exit, according to Saline County Undersheriff Roger Soldan.

The deputy stopped the 2011 Honda Fit and while talking with the driver noticed a smell of marijuana and also observed that the driver and a passenger appeared to be under the influence.

Approximately 299.8 grams of marijuana, 47 1/2 Xanax pills, and several pieces of various drug paraphernalia were found during a search of the vehicle, according to Soldan.

Deputies also found receipts indicating the vehicle had recently been in Colorado.

Deputies arrested the driver, 28-year-old Levi Regnier of Kansas City, Kansas, and a passenger, 20-year-old Shawn Vanderpool of Overland Park.

Regnier was booked on requested charges of possession of a depressant, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and driving under the influence. He also had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Kansas City, according to Soldan.

Vanderpool was booked on requested charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

UPDATE: The Amber Alert has been canceled.

Authorities in Liberty, Missouri have issued an Amber Alert after a teenager was abducted Monday morning.

The Liberty Police Department said 13-year-old Amiya Morris reportedly abducted by 38-year-old Nicholas Bejarano around 5:55 a.m. Monday in the 530 block of Sarah Lane in Liberty.

Bejarano was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt, red shorts, and multi-colored women’s slippers. He may be driving a blue 2012 Toyota Camry with Missouri handicap license number DS17X.

He has multiple tattoos including the letter “B” on his left hand, the letters “MG” on a finger on his right hand, the letter “N” on his right hand, and the letters “EJ” on his neck.

Amiya is a black female, approximately 5’3″ tall, weighing around 105 pounds. She has black hair, brown eyes, and a light complexion. She was last seen wearing a tan tank top, dark blue leggings, and black and pink Nike flip-flops.

Amiya is believed to be in imminent danger. Authorities say Amiya and Bejarano may be headed to Kansas.

Anyone seeing Amaya, the suspect, or the suspect vehicle is asked to immediately call 911 or the Liberty, Missouri Police Department at 816-439-4701.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the arrest of three men accused of plotting to attack Somali immigrants in Kansas (all times local):

11:05 a.m.

Three men accused of plotting to attack Somali immigrants in western Kansas have appeared in court and been appointed lawyers.

Magistrate Judge Gwynne Birzer on Monday ordered Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein and Gavin Wayne Wright to remain in custody after federal prosecutor Anthony Mattivi said they pose a danger to the community. Birzer scheduled detention hearings for Stein and Wright for Friday and for Allen next Monday.

Prosecutors allege that the men are members of a small militia group calling itself “the Crusaders,” whose members espouse sovereign citizen, anti-government, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant extremist beliefs. They allege the men planned to detonate truck bombs around a small Garden City apartment complex where about 120 Somalis live and that they had discussed attacking area churches that helped settle the refugees and get them jobs.

The trio is charged in a criminal complaint that was unsealed Friday with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction. Their attorneys declined to comment after the brief hearing in Wichita.

___

7:15 a.m.

Three men accused of plotting to target Somali immigrants in a diverse western Kansas community remain in custody for now following their first federal court appearances.

Federal prosecutor Anthony Mattivi told a magistrate judge that the three men pose a danger to the community.

Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein and Gavin Wayne Wright are charged in a complaint unsealed Friday with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.

Defense attorneys declined comment.

Magistrate Judge Gwynne Birzer scheduled detention hearings for Stein and Wright on Friday. Allen’s detention hearing is next Monday.

A preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 28, although lawyers told the court they anticipate that hearing will not be needed because a grand jury will likely hand down an indictment before then.

The complaint says the men are members of a small militia group calling itself “the Crusaders,” and that its members espouse sovereign citizen, anti-government, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant extremist beliefs.

Prosecutors allege the men planned to detonate truck bombs around a small Garden City apartment complex where about 120 Somali residents live. Authorities say the men talked of attacking area churches that helped settle refugees and get them jobs.

—————-

WICHITA— Three southwest Kansas men accused in bomb plot on a Garden City apartment complex are due in Federal Court on Monday.

On Friday, Federal prosecutors announced charges related to a planned attack on the Somali immigrant community in Garden City.

Following an 8-month investigation, Curtis Allen 49, Liberal, Gavin Wright, 49, Liberal, and Patrick Stein, 47, Wright, were charged with domestic terrorism according to acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

They are being held in the Sedgwick County Jail.

From the Federal Affidavit:

 BACKGROUND OF CASE
7. This investigation began based on reporting from a reliable, paid Confidential Human Source (CHS) who has attended numerous KSF and Crusaders meetings where plans were discussed to carry out a violent attack against Muslims (whom the group members refer to as “cockroaches”) in southwestern Kansas. These groups meet in person frequently, as often as once per week, and also engage in frequent communication daily through a telephone application (app) called Zello. Information provided by the CHS has been verified at least seventeen times through consensual monitoring of phone calls and messages, as well as recordings of meetings made when the CHS was wearing a body recorder. The CHS has been corroborated multiple times by another FBI CHS who has provided reliable information in the past and on another occasion by a trusted local law enforcement agency source. On at least one occasion a local law enforcement officer provided information consistent with CHS reporting over several topics. The CHS has been further corroborated through social media and open source reporting.
8. Through recordings, CHS cooperation and reporting, and open source and social media investigation, STEIN, ALLEN, and WRIGHT have been identified as members of the aforementioned militia groups. They have also been determined to be the primary architects of the attack plan. STEIN has been identified as a leader within the KSF and participated in meetings of the Crusaders. ALLEN is a close associate of STEIN’s, has been identified as a leader within KSF, and has led meetings of the Crusaders. WRIGHT is also a member of both groups and has been participating in the planning of the attack. Though they are still part of the larger militia group, STEIN, ALLEN, and WRIGHT have branched off to form their own subgroup to plan and carry out this attack, bringing the CHS along with them.

PROBABLE CAUSE
9. The investigation to date has revealed that KSF/Crusaders members Patrick
STEIN, Curtis ALLEN, and Gavin WRIGHT are conspiring to carry out a domestic terrorist attack by using an improvised explosive device (IED) to destroy an apartment complex located at 312 West Mary Street, Garden City, Kansas, which contains a mosque and is home to many Muslims. Their activities have demonstrated, and continue to demonstrate, actions taken in furtherance of this scheme. Their rhetoric and their speech have revealed a hatred for Muslims, Somalis, and immigrants. They chose the target location based on their hatred of these groups, their perception that the people represent a threat to American society, a desire to inspire other militia groups, and a desire to “wake people up.”
10. According to CHS reporting, STEIN has participated in at least three different group surveillances on potential target locations around Garden City and other parts of southwestern Kansas. These surveillances were conducted on an African store, a Somali mall, and a mosque located in an apartment complex, as well as on various vehicles believed to contain Somalis or Muslims. On one such surveillance in February 2016 when the CHS was driving STEIN around, STEIN at various times yelled at Somali women dressed in traditional garb, calling them “Fxxx raghead bitches.” STEIN also referred to Somalis as “cockroaches” and said several times that they needed to eliminate the Somalis.

During the surveillance, STEIN had with him a pistol, an assault rifle with several magazines, a ballistic vest, and a night vision scope. He also mentioned to the CHS that he had done several surveillances like this on his own in the past and that he always made sure he was armed. STEIN also discussed the Oklahoma City bombing and how he had the same explosives components on his farm (diesel and ammonium nitrate). He was looking for any more explosives or things he could use to blow things up.

 

During a Friday news conference, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beal reported the government alleges the men conspired to bomb
an apartment complex in the 300 Block of West Mary Street in Garden City.

Muslim immigrants from Somalia live and worship at the complex.

The government says the suspects conducted survelliance to size up potential targets and stockpiled ammunition, firearms and explosive components.

They also prepared a manifesto describing their beliefs to be published after the bombing.

One suspect told investigators “The bombing would wake people up.”

The defendants were members of a small group they called the Crusaders and they formed a plan for a violent attack, according to Beall.

“They considered a variety of targets including churches and public officials who had expressed support for Somalis.

The suspects discussed obtaining four vehicles, filling them with explosives and parking them at the four corners of the apartment complex to create a large explosion.

The men were arrested on Friday morning in Liberal. If convicted they could face life in prison, he said.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The state of Kansas plans to appeal a jury’s ruling that it pay $120,000 to the family of a 2007 car crash victim who died after a state trooper demanded she be sent to Missouri hospitals rather than a closer one in Kansas.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the Kansas Court of Appeals has upheld the 2014 jury award related to Kristin Saragusa’s death.

Authorities say Charles Barker was fleeing a trooper when his car collided with an oncoming car occupied by Saragusa.

An ambulance carrying Saragusa initially was sent to a Kansas hospital four minutes away but was rerouted to two Missouri hospitals, keeping her in an ambulance for 16 minutes.

Jurors during the trial over the Saragusa family’s lawsuit assessed the state’s liability at $120,000.

By ANDY MARSO & AMY JEFFRIES
It would be hard not to know there’s a presidential election going on. There’s lots of action at the state level too.

Already, with the results of the August primaries, there’s a lot of turnover in the Legislature. And there are at least 10 Kansas Senate races and 20 House races that are competitive in the general elections.

If you’ve heard anyone say “finish the ballot”, it was probably a Democrat encouraging you to vote all the way down through county commission, school board, and precinct captain, to also make a choice for judicial retention. House GOP leaders have been leading the charge against four Supreme Court Justices they’d like to see ousted because of rulings on school finance, abortion restrictions, and death sentences.

Of course before you vote on anything you have to be registered.

1. Are you registered?

If you’re not sure, you can check your status by searching the Secretary of State’s database. If you are registered, your name, address, party, and information about your precinct and polling place will pop up. If your registration is incomplete in any way, you’ll get a “no records found” message.

If you want to be superduper sure, call your county election office. You can find contact info for your county here.

2. It’s now the last minute.

The deadline to register to vote in Kansas is Tuesday, Oct. 18.

3. The federal form is your best bet for registering.

It’s just simpler. Here it is.

The Kansas form requires you provide documentary proof of citizenship, like a passport or birth certificate. But the federal form only requires that you swear you’re a citizen under penalty of perjury.

Under a federal court order issued in September, Kansas has to accept federal form registrations without more proof of citizenship.

The fastest, surest way to register last minute is to fill out that federal form and bring it to your county election office.

4. If you registered at the DMV, you can vote on everything.

So, you went to get your driver’s license and signed up to vote while you were at it. You were registered with the federal form, you don’t have to submit further proof of citizenship, you can go ahead and vote.

There was a lot of confusion about this over the summer leading up to the primaries. Secretary of State Kris Kobach had thousands of “motor-voters” suspended and only wanted them to be allowed to vote in federal contests with provisional ballots.

But, Kobach has since signed an agreement with the ACLU so all voters registered at the DMV or otherwise with the federal form can vote in all elections this November using a standard ballot.

5. If you’ve used the state form, make sure you’ve submitted proof of citizenship.

Kansas is still requiring proof of citizenship documents for voters registered with the state form.

Kobach’s office says if your proof is missing, you should have received a notice saying your registration is suspended until you submit it. If your registration is suspended you’ll get a provisional ballot and your vote won’t count unless you provide a citizenship document to your county election office or the secretary of state’s office before the election.

The Douglas County Election Office says you have until midnight on the eve of Election Day to provide that proof of citizenship.

If it’s been 90 days since you submitted your Kansas voter registration application and you haven’t provided a citizenship document, your application will be canceled and you have to reapply.

Again, the best way to find out your status for sure is to call your county election office.

6. Skip the line, vote in advance.

There could be a wait at the polls on Nov. 8.

Some counties are already fretting about not having enough poll workers, meaning not enough people to check-in voters and distribute ballots.

It’s hard to say what turnout will be like, especially given the historic unfavorability ratings of the headlining candidates. But for the last presidential election in 2012, more than 811,000 voters turned out on Election Day in Kansas. That year, almost 372,000 voted early. And you can too!

You can go vote in person as early as Oct. 19 (it’s up to each county election office to say exactly when and where, so check with yours) and as late as noon on Nov. 7.

Or you can stay home and vote in your pajamas if you request an advance mail-in ballot; those start going out to voters on Oct. 19. You have to mail yours back by Nov. 4 or take it to your county election office on Election Day.

7. Registered? Expect a standard ballot.

Kansas election officials can distribute provisional ballots to voters whose registration is in question. Those ballots are later reviewed by the local board of canvassers to determine whether they should count. But if you have successfully registered — signed a federal form, registered at the DMV or filled out the state form and submitted citizenship documents — you should get a standard ballot.

8. One polling place per person on Election Day.

The address where you can cast your ballot on Nov. 8 is on your voter registration card. Don’t know where your registration card is? Look up your polling place.

You may have a different polling place from the person who lives across the street from you. The way polling places are assigned is funny like that; there are multiple polling places for each Legislative district.

Editor’s note: After this list was first published, we added to item 5 some detail about deadlines for submitting the proof of citizenship required by the state voter registration form.

Andy Marso is a reporter for KHI News Service, and is on Twitter @andymarso. Kansas Elections Editor Amy Jeffries is based at KCUR, and is on Twitter @amyoverhere. KHI and KCUR are partners in a statewide collaboration covering elections in Kansas.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Students at two high schools in Lawrence, Kansas, are being given access to free condoms at their school’s health offices.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that that the dispensers could become available as early as this week at Lawrence High School and Free State High School.

Students will be able to get the condoms without parental permission as part of a partnership between the school district and the county health department.

The dispensers will be installed in the bathrooms of each school’s health office, and students also will be taught how to safely and effectively use the condoms with this fall’s sexuality education curriculum.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY — A man being sought for more than a year was apprehended in Utah and has been returned to Kansas to face charges accusing him of abusing a child.

Allen Eugene Lemley, 54, was camping in a Utah Canyon in an RV when deputies found him, according to the Cache County Sheriff’s Department.

He was booked into the Ellsworth County Jail on Friday to face a 17-month-old charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Ellsworth County Sheriff Tracy Ploutz said a warrant was filed for Lemley’s arrest in Ellsworth County in May 2015.

Comparing his photo in the wanted poster, it is obvious Lemley was coloring his hair to hide his identity.

He is expected to make a first court appearance this week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

JOHN HANNA, AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democrats and moderate Republicans have boosted their campaigns for the Kansas Legislature by attacking GOP Gov. Sam Brownback’s fiscal policies.

And they’re setting up a debate over a big tax increase next year.

The goals they’re presenting to voters include increasing aid to public schools, undoing cuts in higher education and protecting highway funding.

Following through would force lawmakers to consider undoing key parts of Brownback’s tax-cutting legacy and raising taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

Ongoing budget problems have fueled a backlash against Brownback’s allies ahead of the Nov. 8 general election. Democrats hope to shrink GOP supermajorities in both chambers so they can form governing coalitions with moderate Republicans.

The scenario is plausible because 14 conservatives lost legislative seats in the August primary.