KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man was sentenced Monday to 63 months in federal prison for robbing a bank in Prairie Village, Kan., according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.
Darrell Hunter, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. He admitted that on Dec. 26, 2014, he robbed United Missouri Bank at 6900 Mission Road in Prairie Village
In his plea, Hunter admitted he entered the bank and asked for a deposit slip. He wrote on the slip, “This is a robbery I got a gun put the money in the bag.” He put the money in a duffle bag and left the bank.
Beall commended the FBI, the Prairie Village Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt for their work on the case.
KDOC Victim Services representatives Emily Schneider and Janet Good joined with staff from the Kansas Attorney General’s office, the Kansas Governor’s Grants Program, and the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence for Governor Sam Brownback’s signing of a proclamation recognizing Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
KDOC
TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), in commemoration of Kansas Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 2-8, 2017, will present programs for correctional staff and inmates illustrating how victim-centered practices benefit victims and inmates.
Governor Sam Brownback’s proclamation of Crime Victims’ Rights Week coincides with the national annual observance to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights and resources available in the community. Throughout the week, the KDOC’s Office of Victim Services (OVS) will highlight the KDOC’s commitment to restorative justice principles, which encourage offenders to accept accountability for their crimes by taking responsibility, making amends and changing the attitudes and thinking behind their criminal behavior.
“Seeking justice means recognizing victims’ rights,” said Audrey Cress, KDOC’s director of victim services. “Employing restorative justice practices requires that we hear the voices of the victims. And these voices are essential for offenders to understand the true impact of their actions on the victim and the community.”
Sponsored by the KDOC’s Office of Victim Services (OVS), workshops aimed at inmates in Lansing Correctional Facility and Topeka Correctional Facility will focus on the Apology Letter Repository program where apology letters written by offenders are stored and provided, upon request, to the victim. In composing a letter, an offender may acknowledge fault, express remorse or acknowledge the injury and pain caused to the victim or others. The letters do not offer excuses or request forgiveness. As part of the workshops, a guest speaker will talk about the loss of her daughter in a driving under the influence crash and how an apology letter would have aided in her healing process.
During the week, staff at the two facilities will attend training sessions to enhance their understanding of restorative justice practices and the programming available to inmates.
Events at Winfield Correctional Facility will highlight April as national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Inmates will hear from a guest speaker about the impact of sexual assault on the victim as well as learn about the aftercare that is involved, prevention strategies and risks inmates may encounter while incarcerated. To further raise awareness among the inmate population, inmates will be able to take part in a march titled “Walk a Mile in a Victim’s Shoes” around the facility’s track on April 27.
In addition to the KDOC’s programs during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, various fundraising events will be held at state correctional facilities and parole offices benefiting community sexual assault, domestic violence and victim advocacy agencies. The KDOC also will be participating in the Courage Walk and Voices of Victims Rally in Topeka Friday.
SALINA -A Kansas teen faces multiple felony charges for unauthorized purchases on his disabled mother’s credit card.
Kirkland Woodson used the card while running errands for Bessie Keith, his mother who is legally blind, according to Salina Police Capt. Paul Forrester.
Between February 16 and March 20, he allegedly used the card to purchase items and services online and around Salina.
Most of the charges were in the $20 to $50 range but authorities estimated the total loss at $7,400.
Woodson was taken into custody and faces 22 counts of forgery, two counts of felony theft, 22 counts of misdemeanor theft, one count of criminal deprivation, 25 counts of unlawful acts on a computer and 98 counts of criminal use of a financial card.
SEDGWICK COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating an armed robbery and asking the public for help to find a suspect.
Just after 6p.m. Sunday, police responded to an armed robbery call at a Dollar General in the 1900 Block of East 13th Street North in Wichita, according to the police online media briefing.
The employee told police a suspect, described as an unknown black male in his 40s, 5-foot- ten inches tall, approximately 165 pounds, had a gun and demanded money. The employee gave him money from the cash register and he fled on foot.
The suspect was wearing tan mechanics overalls, a black stocking cap, black gloves and sun glasses, according to police.
The possible suspect vehicle is a small black SUV. There were no injuries. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The death of a Kansas House member’s son has spurred wide support for strengthening inspection requirements for amusement rides.
Lawmakers voted 124-1 Monday to increase regulation on amusement parks as an emotional Rep. Scott Schwab presided over the House. Schwab’s son, Caleb, died on a water slide at Schlitterbahn in Kansas City, Kansas last year. Schwab and a clerk were both choked up as the House got ready to vote.
The House advanced the measure unanimously by voice vote last week. But Rep. Jack Thimesch voted against the bill during Monday’s final action vote.
He says owners of carnival rides in his district told him the law could put them out of business. Schwab said last week he wouldn’t hold it against anyone who voted against the bill.
BARTON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are asking the public to assist in locating convicted felon 39-year-old Dennis J. Streiner on a parole violation.
Streiner has convictions for burglary, forgery, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and numerous DUI convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
He is a white male, 5 foot 9 inches tall, weighs 190 pounds and has brown
If you have information about this crime or any other crime, please call crime stoppers at 620-792- 1300 or 888-305- 1300.
KEARNEY, NE -Investigators of the Kearney Police Department received additional information late Monday morning on the possible sighting of the male suspect and Elizabeth Thomas which occurred on Sunday, April 2nd, at the McDonald’s Restaurant, 5602 1st Avenue, in Kearney, Nebraska.
Police confirmed that the individuals shown in the video are not involved in the kidnapping / Amber Alert out of Tennessee.
Police have had contact with the man in the video and have confirmed his identity and have determined he is not the subject of the Amber Alert. Authorities in Tennessee and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been notified of the results of the investigation.
Even though there have been no confirmed sightings in the area, Police ask that the public continues to watch for these individuals to bring a safe conclusion to this case.
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KEARNEY, NE. – Law enforcement authorities in Nebraska are now investigating a report that the victim and suspect of a Tennessee Amber Alert were in Kearney on Sunday.
Security cameras images matched photos of Tad Cummins, 50, and Elizabeth Thomas, 15, according to a social media report from police.
They are possibly driving a red pickup or could still be using the Silver 2015 Nissan Rogue listed in the Amber Alert, according to police.
The girl and her teacher were reported missing on March 13 from Culleoka, a Tennessee community about 60 miles south of Nashville. They were spotted in Oklahoma City late last week and may have driven through Kansas.
Police asked anyone that sees them to Call 911 and to use caution as the suspect had possession of two handguns.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is reporting that its tax collections in March fell nearly $12 million short of expectations.
The Department of Revenue said Monday that the state collected almost $429 million in taxes last month when it had projected it would take in more than $440 million. The monthly shortfall was 2.7 percent.
The state had seen tax collections that had exceeded expectations the previous four months. Even with the shortfall in March, the state’s tax collections are still nearly $57 million ahead of expectations for the current fiscal year that begin in July 2016.
Legislators had seen the previous greater-than-expected tax collections as a positive sign as they consider raising taxes to fix the state’s serious budget problems. Kansas is facing budget shortfalls totaling more than $1 billion through June 2019.
GEARY COUNTY – Fire officials are working to determine the cause of a house fire in Junction City.
Just after 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the Junction City Fire Department responded to 1132 South Jackson Street in Junction City, according to Fire Chief Terry Johnson.
Upon arrival, the Battalion Chief noticed light smoke coming from a door of the residence and the windows were warm to the touch.
Fire crews ventilated the structure, forced entry, conducted searches and put the fire out quickly without incident.
The damage estimate to the structure is $50,000 and to the contents $10,000.
Crews were on scene for about two and a half hours. The occupants were not home at the time of the fire. However, two of their dogs perished in the fire.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to find a suspect.
Just after 1:30 a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a local hospital in reference to a shooting victim who had arrived by private vehicle, according to a media release.
The female victim told police she was driving in the 1100 Block of SE Golden when an unknown suspect in a dark SUV shot at her. The woman suffered non-life threatening injuries, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police or crimestoppers.
JACKSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Jackson County are investigating two suspects on drugs and weapons charges.
Just after 11:30p.m. Friday, deputies with the Jackson Sheriff’s responded to a residence north of Hoyt, Kansas. They arrested Donald Vernon Larson , 34, Humboldt, Nebraska and Justin Lee Banks, 37, Sabetha, Kansas, according to a media release.
Deputies also seized narcotics and a sawed off shot gun at the scene.
Banks-photo Jackson Co
Larson is being held in the Jackson County Jail on charges of: Possession of morphine, methamphetamine, marijuana, lorazepam, diazepam, drug paraphernalia, unlawfully obtaining a prescription drug with the intent to sell and a felon in possession of a firearm.
Banks is being held on possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The two allegedly were also in possession of financial and personal documents not belonging to them. Further charges may be expected later, according to the sheriff’s department.
MCPHERSON COUNTY – Four people were injured in an accident just after 5p.m. on Sunday in McPherson County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Nissan Murano driven by Jeremy J. Swift, 37, Loveland, CO., was southbound on Interstate 135 just north of Moundridge weaving in and out of traffic and straddling the center line.
The Nissan passed a semi and rear-ended 2008 Toyota Camry driven by John L. Kasper, 65, Wilson.
The Nissan spun into the median, crossed into the north bound traffic before going back into the median. The Toyota spun off into the west ditch.
Kasper and a passenger in the Toyota Belinda R. Kasper, 63, Wilson, were transported to the hospital in Newton.
Swift and a passenger in the Nissan Erin M. Garcia, 36, Loveland, CO., were transported to the hospital in McPherson. Two children in the Nissan were not injured.
All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
