BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

For the second time, a Missouri judge has accused Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft of crafting ‘inaccurate’ language around the reproductive rights amendment

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has been ordered to remove his characterization of an abortion rights amendment from his government website after a judge deemed it was unfair and violated state statute.

A Cole County judge on Thursday ruled that Ashcroft’s “fair ballot language” summary of the reproductive rights amendment, also known as Amendment 3, was “unfair, inaccurate, insufficient and misleading.”

“Intentionally of not, the secretary’s language sows voter confusion about the effects of the measure,” Circuit Judge Cotton Walker wrote in a Thursday afternoon decision.&nbsp;

The day Ashcroft&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified the abortion-rights amendment for the Nov. 5 ballot,</a>&nbsp;a “fair ballot language” summary for Amendment 3 was also published on his office’s government website. That summary will also appear at every polling place around the state next to sample ballots. By state law&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=116.025" target="_blank">this summary must be “true and impartial.”</a>

Ashcroft is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/missouri-abortion-amendment-march-life/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiLjtf756yIAxVgFjQIHR6RPGwQFnoECBQQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw1D4JsqkdgQGe87Fc0ShvyX" target="_blank">vocal in his opposition to abortion.</a>

Amendment 3, if passed by a statewide majority vote, would establish the constitutional right to an abortion up to the point of fetal viability. Since the overturning of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in&nbsp;June 2022, nearly all abortions became illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother.&nbsp;

It would also enshrine other reproductive rights in the constitution, including in-vitro fertilization and birth control, both of which remain legal in Missouri.&nbsp;

Ashcroft’s summary of the amendment read: “A ‘yes’ vote will enshrine the right to abortion at any time of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/20/missouri-secretary-state-ashcroft-lawsuit-abortion/">Abortion-rights activists in a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed two weeks ago called Ashcroft’s summary of the amendment harmful and confusing to voters.

Walker agreed, ruling that Ashcroft’s assertion that the amendment would allow the right to an abortion at any point in pregnancy “gives voters the wrong idea of what the amendment will accomplish.”

The secretary of state’s office said in a statement that it is reviewing the judge’s decision.&nbsp;

“Secretary Ashcroft will always stand for life and for the people of Missouri to know the truth,” JoDonn Chaney, a spokesperson for Ashcroft, said Thursday afternoon.

Walker’s decision came a day after a bench trial in which both sides argued over what the amendment would mean for Missourians if approved by voters.&nbsp;

The brief trial was focused on language around provider immunity.

The amendment reads, in part, that no person “assisting a person in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with that person’s consent be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action for doing so.”

Andrew Crane, a lawyer representing Ashcroft on behalf of the attorney general’s office, argued Wednesday that the amendment would lead to “effectively neutering the government’s ability to enforce any effective regulations” on abortion.&nbsp;

Such a claim was “politically-charged” and unfounded, since it fails to take into account other language in the amendment protecting patients, said Tori Schafer, an attorney with the ACLU of Missouri, which is representing the plaintiff.

Walker wrote that Ashcroft’s argument runs “contrary to the language of the amendment and will give voters the mistaken impression that the amendment will allow physicians to perform abortions negligently or criminally.”&nbsp;

The judge said Ashcroft’s argument of provider immunity “ignores, with respect to health care providers, that the protection from prosecution (1) hinges on the patient’s consent and (2) is coextensive with the right to reproductive freedom and its regulation.”&nbsp;

Walker on Thursday provided new “fair ballot language” to be posted on the secretary of state’s website and at polling places. It reads:&nbsp;

“A ‘yes’ vote establishes a constitutional right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid; removes Missouri’s ban on abortion; allows regulation of reproductive health care to improve of maintain the health of the patient; requires the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against persons providing or obtaining reproductive health care; and allows abortion to be restricted or banned after fetal viability except to protect the life or health of the woman.”

The Amendment 3 lawsuit was filed by retired physician Dr. Anna Fitz-James, who initially filed the abortion rights initiative petition in spring 2023 on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind the amendment.&nbsp;

“Missourians deserve the chance to vote on Amendment 3 based on facts,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement following the decision. “And today’s decision brings us one step closer to making that a reality.”

Walker’s decision mirrored one made by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem last year, after Ashcroft was also sued by the abortion-rights campaign over the initial ballot summary he drafted, which would have asked Missourians, in part, if they wanted to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.”&nbsp;

Beetem in his ruling a year ago said that Ashcroft’s language was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/judge-rejects-rewrites-summary-for-missouri-abortion-initiative-petition/">“problematic” and inaccurate.</a>&nbsp;

Ashcroft appealed, but the higher court sided with Beetem, writing it is “not a probable effect” that the amendment would allow unrestricted abortion in all nine months of pregnancy or that it would toss aside health and safety regulations, “including requirements that physicians perform abortions and that they maintain medical malpractice insurance.”

A second lawsuit regarding Amendment 3 will be challenged at a bench trial on Friday in Cole County after a number of anti-abortion activists and lawmakers asked a judge to block the amendment from the Nov. 5 ballot. Their lawsuit claims Amendment 3 violates the state constitution by including more than one subject and fails to specify which laws and constitutional provisions would be repealed if it was approved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724262530682.png" alt="- Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined the Midwest March for Life on May 1 at the Missouri State Capitol (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>- Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined the Midwest March for Life on May 1 at the Missouri State Capitol (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>For the second time, a Missouri judge has accused Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft of crafting ‘inaccurate’ language around the reproductive rights amendment</h2>Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has been ordered to remove his characterization of an abortion rights amendment from his government website after a judge deemed it was unfair and violated state statute.A Cole County judge on Thursday ruled that Ashcroft’s “fair ballot language” summary of the reproductive rights amendment, also known as Amendment 3, was “unfair, inaccurate, insufficient and misleading.”“Intentionally of not, the secretary’s language sows voter confusion about the effects of the measure,” Circuit Judge Cotton Walker wrote in a Thursday afternoon decision.&nbsp;The day Ashcroft&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified the abortion-rights amendment for the Nov. 5 ballot,</a>&nbsp;a “fair ballot language” summary for Amendment 3 was also published on his office’s government website. That summary will also appear at every polling place around the state next to sample ballots. By state law&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=116.025" target="_blank">this summary must be “true and impartial.”</a>Ashcroft is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/missouri-abortion-amendment-march-life/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiLjtf756yIAxVgFjQIHR6RPGwQFnoECBQQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw1D4JsqkdgQGe87Fc0ShvyX" target="_blank">vocal in his opposition to abortion.</a>Amendment 3, if passed by a statewide majority vote, would establish the constitutional right to an abortion up to the point of fetal viability. Since the overturning of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in&nbsp;June 2022, nearly all abortions became illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother.&nbsp;It would also enshrine other reproductive rights in the constitution, including in-vitro fertilization and birth control, both of which remain legal in Missouri.&nbsp;Ashcroft’s summary of the amendment read: “A ‘yes’ vote will enshrine the right to abortion at any time of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.”&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/20/missouri-secretary-state-ashcroft-lawsuit-abortion/">Abortion-rights activists in a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed two weeks ago called Ashcroft’s summary of the amendment harmful and confusing to voters.Walker agreed, ruling that Ashcroft’s assertion that the amendment would allow the right to an abortion at any point in pregnancy “gives voters the wrong idea of what the amendment will accomplish.”The secretary of state’s office said in a statement that it is reviewing the judge’s decision.&nbsp;“Secretary Ashcroft will always stand for life and for the people of Missouri to know the truth,” JoDonn Chaney, a spokesperson for Ashcroft, said Thursday afternoon.Walker’s decision came a day after a bench trial in which both sides argued over what the amendment would mean for Missourians if approved by voters.&nbsp;The brief trial was focused on language around provider immunity.The amendment reads, in part, that no person “assisting a person in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with that person’s consent be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action for doing so.”Andrew Crane, a lawyer representing Ashcroft on behalf of the attorney general’s office, argued Wednesday that the amendment would lead to “effectively neutering the government’s ability to enforce any effective regulations” on abortion.&nbsp;Such a claim was “politically-charged” and unfounded, since it fails to take into account other language in the amendment protecting patients, said Tori Schafer, an attorney with the ACLU of Missouri, which is representing the plaintiff.Walker wrote that Ashcroft’s argument runs “contrary to the language of the amendment and will give voters the mistaken impression that the amendment will allow physicians to perform abortions negligently or criminally.”&nbsp;The judge said Ashcroft’s argument of provider immunity “ignores, with respect to health care providers, that the protection from prosecution (1) hinges on the patient’s consent and (2) is coextensive with the right to reproductive freedom and its regulation.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725617026837.png" alt="Attendees cheer during a Missourians for Constitutional Freedom rally after the campaign turned in more than 380,000 signatures for its initiative petition to enshrine abortion rights in Missouri’s constitution Friday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Attendees cheer during a Missourians for Constitutional Freedom rally after the campaign turned in more than 380,000 signatures for its initiative petition to enshrine abortion rights in Missouri’s constitution Friday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>Walker on Thursday provided new “fair ballot language” to be posted on the secretary of state’s website and at polling places. It reads:&nbsp;“A ‘yes’ vote establishes a constitutional right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid; removes Missouri’s ban on abortion; allows regulation of reproductive health care to improve of maintain the health of the patient; requires the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against persons providing or obtaining reproductive health care; and allows abortion to be restricted or banned after fetal viability except to protect the life or health of the woman.”The Amendment 3 lawsuit was filed by retired physician Dr. Anna Fitz-James, who initially filed the abortion rights initiative petition in spring 2023 on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind the amendment.&nbsp;“Missourians deserve the chance to vote on Amendment 3 based on facts,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement following the decision. “And today’s decision brings us one step closer to making that a reality.”Walker’s decision mirrored one made by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem last year, after Ashcroft was also sued by the abortion-rights campaign over the initial ballot summary he drafted, which would have asked Missourians, in part, if they wanted to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.”&nbsp;Beetem in his ruling a year ago said that Ashcroft’s language was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/judge-rejects-rewrites-summary-for-missouri-abortion-initiative-petition/">“problematic” and inaccurate.</a>&nbsp;Ashcroft appealed, but the higher court sided with Beetem, writing it is “not a probable effect” that the amendment would allow unrestricted abortion in all nine months of pregnancy or that it would toss aside health and safety regulations, “including requirements that physicians perform abortions and that they maintain medical malpractice insurance.”A second lawsuit regarding Amendment 3 will be challenged at a bench trial on Friday in Cole County after a number of anti-abortion activists and lawmakers asked a judge to block the amendment from the Nov. 5 ballot. Their lawsuit claims Amendment 3 violates the state constitution by including more than one subject and fails to specify which laws and constitutional provisions would be repealed if it was approved.

Judge calls Ashcroft’s characterization of abortion amendment ‘unfair’ and ‘misleading’

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man was sentenced Wednesday following the death of an elderly woman at an area nursing home.&nbsp;

Jose Luis Reyes, Jr., 31, Wichita, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of mistreating a 90- year-old resident of a Bel Aire nursing home was sentenced to a year of probation and ordered not to be employed in any capacity where he would be providing medical care to patients, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;Reyes Jr. was a certified nurse aide at Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire when one of the residents passed away on Dec. 10, 2022.&nbsp; An autopsy found the primary cause of the woman’s death was heart disease. The autopsy also noted that woman had suffered other injuries at the time of her death, including broken bones in her legs, bruising under her armpits and a bruise to her head.

Investigators from the Bel Aire Police Department obtained video from the facility showing Reyes had entered woman’s room alone shortly before her death. After interviewing witnesses and reviewing medical records, investigators found that Reyes injured the woman when he attempted to move her from her bed to a wheelchair without assistance from other staff at the nursing home. 

Evidence showed the woman either fell or was dropped onto the floor of her room on the day she died. Medical records showed the nursing home staff was aware that the woman required at least two people to move her at all times.

In July, Reyes entered a guilty plea to mistreatment of an elder person before District Judge David Kaufman. As part of the plea, Reyes agreed to surrender any Kansas certifications for providing medical care to patients.

If Reyes fails to comply with the probation conditions, he could serve a prison sentence of nine months in the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas law makes it a crime to mistreat an elder person, either by intentionally inflicting injury or knowingly omitting or depriving treatment necessary to maintain the physical health of the elder person. The same law also prohibits the financial exploitation of elder persons through theft, coercion, false representations or overbilling. The definition of an elder person in Kansas is anyone 60 or older.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725542554889.png" alt="Reyes -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Reyes -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man was sentenced Wednesday following the death of an elderly woman at an area nursing home.&nbsp;Jose Luis Reyes, Jr., 31, Wichita, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of mistreating a 90- year-old resident of a Bel Aire nursing home was sentenced to a year of probation and ordered not to be employed in any capacity where he would be providing medical care to patients, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;Reyes Jr. was a certified nurse aide at Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire when one of the residents passed away on Dec. 10, 2022.&nbsp; An autopsy found the primary cause of the woman’s death was heart disease. The autopsy also noted that woman had suffered other injuries at the time of her death, including broken bones in her legs, bruising under her armpits and a bruise to her head.Investigators from the Bel Aire Police Department obtained video from the facility showing Reyes had entered woman’s room alone shortly before her death. After interviewing witnesses and reviewing medical records, investigators found that Reyes injured the woman when he attempted to move her from her bed to a wheelchair without assistance from other staff at the nursing home. Evidence showed the woman either fell or was dropped onto the floor of her room on the day she died. Medical records showed the nursing home staff was aware that the woman required at least two people to move her at all times.In July, Reyes entered a guilty plea to mistreatment of an elder person before District Judge David Kaufman. As part of the plea, Reyes agreed to surrender any Kansas certifications for providing medical care to patients.If Reyes fails to comply with the probation conditions, he could serve a prison sentence of nine months in the Kansas Department of Corrections.Kansas law makes it a crime to mistreat an elder person, either by intentionally inflicting injury or knowingly omitting or depriving treatment necessary to maintain the physical health of the elder person. The same law also prohibits the financial exploitation of elder persons through theft, coercion, false representations or overbilling. The definition of an elder person in Kansas is anyone 60 or older.

Kan. nurse aid admits guilt for woman's nursing home death 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Exactly two months out from the presidential election, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan plans to move ahead with the case accusing former President Donald Trump of subverting the 2020 presidential election results, telling Trump’s attorneys that she is “not concerned with the electoral schedule.”

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, did not appear in federal court for Thursday’s hearing in Washington, D.C., but his lawyers pleaded not guilty on his behalf to the four charges that remained unchanged in U.S. special counsel Jack Smith’s new indictment, filed last week.

The case had been in a holding pattern for eight months as Trump appealed his claim of presidential immunity all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Chutkan’s anticipated new timeline for the case — which she could release as early as Thursday — is still expected to assure Trump will not face trial before Election Day in November.

U.S. prosecutors say they are ready to restart the case in the coming weeks, while Trump’s team has argued for more time to review evidence and dismiss the superseding indictment.

The Supreme Court returned Trump’s case to the trial court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/presidential-immunity-covers-some-official-acts-supreme-court-rules-trump-case" target="_blank">after ruling</a>&nbsp;that former presidents are immune from criminal charges for official “core constitutional” acts while in office and hold at least presumptive immunity for “outer perimeter” activities, but not for personal actions.

This gave Chutkan, an Obama administration appointee, the major task of parsing Smith’s indictment, deciding which allegations against Trump fall under the umbrella of official acts and which relate to actions taken in a personal capacity.

Chutkan did not issue any decisions on immunity at the Thursday hearing but rather spent significant time grilling Trump’s attorney John Lauro on why he believes it is “unseemly” for Smith’s office to lay out its case this month in an opening brief. Thomas Windom, a federal prosecutor in Smith’s office, said the government would be ready to file the brief by the end of September.

Lauro argued that Smith wanting to file “at breakneck speed” is “incredibly unfair that they are able to put in the public record (evidence) at this sensitive time in our nation’s history.”

“I understand there’s an election impending,” Chutkan snapped back, reminding him that it “is not relevant here.”

“Three weeks is not exactly breakneck speed,” Chutkan added.

Lauro argues that Chutkan should examine parts of the indictment that accuse Trump of pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to accept false slates of electors leading up to Pence’s ceremonial role in certifying the election results on Jan. 6, 2021.

“The problem with that issue is if in fact the communications are immune, then the entire indictment fails,” Lauro argued.

“I’m not sure that’s my reading of the case,” Chutkan replied.

The government maintains that all actions and communications by Trump described in the new indictment were “private in nature,” Windom argued.

Chutkan also spent time during the roughly 75-minute hearing questioning Lauro on the Trump legal team’s numerous plans to request the case’s dismissal. One anticipated plan is to try its successful play in Florida, where a Trump-appointed federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-dismisses-trump-classified-documents-criminal-case" target="_blank">tossed</a>&nbsp;his classified documents case after Trump argued Smith was illegally appointed as special counsel.

Chutkan said she will allow the defense to file that motion but warned that attorneys must provide convincing arguments on why “binding precedent doesn’t hold” for the time-tested position of special prosecutor.

Trump is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67656595/226/united-states-v-trump/" target="_blank">charged</a>&nbsp;with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights for his alleged role in conspiring to create false electors from seven states and spreading knowingly false information that whipped his supporters into a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

A federal grand jury handed up a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/special-counsel-smith-files-new-indictment-trumps-jan-6-case" target="_blank">revised indictment</a>&nbsp;Aug. 27 in an effort to tailor the charges to the Supreme Court’s July 1 immunity&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf" target="_blank">ruling</a>. The fresh indictment omitted any references to Trump’s alleged pressure campaign on Justice Department officials to meddle in state election results.

But the document added emphasis on Trump’s personal use of social media outside of his actions as president, and said he and several co-conspirators schemed outside of his official duties. The new indictment also stressed Trump’s pressure on Pence to accept the fake electors in his role outside of the executive branch as president of the Senate.

If Trump wins the Oval Office in November, he would have the power to hinder or altogether shut down the Department of Justice’s election interference case against him.

If he loses to Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, the case is sure to be set back by further delays, as the Trump team plans numerous challenges and will almost certainly appeal — likely to the Supreme Court again — Chutkan’s decisions on which allegations against Trump are or are not subject to immunity.

According to Friday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.229.0_4.pdf" target="_blank">joint filing</a>&nbsp;in which each side laid out plans for the case going forward, Trump’s team also warned they will challenge that Trump’s tweets and communication about the 2020 presidential results should be considered all official acts.

Additionally, Trump plans to file a motion to dismiss the case based on the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-ruling-obstruction-law-helps-cases-jan-6-defendants" target="_blank">June ruling</a>&nbsp;that a Jan. 6 rioter could not be charged with obstructing an official proceeding — a charge that Trump also faces.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725589977937.png" alt="Former President Trump at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Former President Trump at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Exactly two months out from the presidential election, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan plans to move ahead with the case accusing former President Donald Trump of subverting the 2020 presidential election results, telling Trump’s attorneys that she is “not concerned with the electoral schedule.”Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, did not appear in federal court for Thursday’s hearing in Washington, D.C., but his lawyers pleaded not guilty on his behalf to the four charges that remained unchanged in U.S. special counsel Jack Smith’s new indictment, filed last week.The case had been in a holding pattern for eight months as Trump appealed his claim of presidential immunity all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Chutkan’s anticipated new timeline for the case — which she could release as early as Thursday — is still expected to assure Trump will not face trial before Election Day in November.U.S. prosecutors say they are ready to restart the case in the coming weeks, while Trump’s team has argued for more time to review evidence and dismiss the superseding indictment.The Supreme Court returned Trump’s case to the trial court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/presidential-immunity-covers-some-official-acts-supreme-court-rules-trump-case" target="_blank">after ruling</a>&nbsp;that former presidents are immune from criminal charges for official “core constitutional” acts while in office and hold at least presumptive immunity for “outer perimeter” activities, but not for personal actions.This gave Chutkan, an Obama administration appointee, the major task of parsing Smith’s indictment, deciding which allegations against Trump fall under the umbrella of official acts and which relate to actions taken in a personal capacity.<h2>Chutkan skeptical&nbsp;</h2>Chutkan did not issue any decisions on immunity at the Thursday hearing but rather spent significant time grilling Trump’s attorney John Lauro on why he believes it is “unseemly” for Smith’s office to lay out its case this month in an opening brief. Thomas Windom, a federal prosecutor in Smith’s office, said the government would be ready to file the brief by the end of September.Lauro argued that Smith wanting to file “at breakneck speed” is “incredibly unfair that they are able to put in the public record (evidence) at this sensitive time in our nation’s history.”“I understand there’s an election impending,” Chutkan snapped back, reminding him that it “is not relevant here.”“Three weeks is not exactly breakneck speed,” Chutkan added.Lauro argues that Chutkan should examine parts of the indictment that accuse Trump of pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to accept false slates of electors leading up to Pence’s ceremonial role in certifying the election results on Jan. 6, 2021.“The problem with that issue is if in fact the communications are immune, then the entire indictment fails,” Lauro argued.“I’m not sure that’s my reading of the case,” Chutkan replied.The government maintains that all actions and communications by Trump described in the new indictment were “private in nature,” Windom argued.Chutkan also spent time during the roughly 75-minute hearing questioning Lauro on the Trump legal team’s numerous plans to request the case’s dismissal. One anticipated plan is to try its successful play in Florida, where a Trump-appointed federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-dismisses-trump-classified-documents-criminal-case" target="_blank">tossed</a>&nbsp;his classified documents case after Trump argued Smith was illegally appointed as special counsel.Chutkan said she will allow the defense to file that motion but warned that attorneys must provide convincing arguments on why “binding precedent doesn’t hold” for the time-tested position of special prosecutor.<h2>New indictment, same charges</h2>Trump is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67656595/226/united-states-v-trump/" target="_blank">charged</a>&nbsp;with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights for his alleged role in conspiring to create false electors from seven states and spreading knowingly false information that whipped his supporters into a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.A federal grand jury handed up a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/special-counsel-smith-files-new-indictment-trumps-jan-6-case" target="_blank">revised indictment</a>&nbsp;Aug. 27 in an effort to tailor the charges to the Supreme Court’s July 1 immunity&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf" target="_blank">ruling</a>. The fresh indictment omitted any references to Trump’s alleged pressure campaign on Justice Department officials to meddle in state election results.But the document added emphasis on Trump’s personal use of social media outside of his actions as president, and said he and several co-conspirators schemed outside of his official duties. The new indictment also stressed Trump’s pressure on Pence to accept the fake electors in his role outside of the executive branch as president of the Senate.If Trump wins the Oval Office in November, he would have the power to hinder or altogether shut down the Department of Justice’s election interference case against him.If he loses to Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, the case is sure to be set back by further delays, as the Trump team plans numerous challenges and will almost certainly appeal — likely to the Supreme Court again — Chutkan’s decisions on which allegations against Trump are or are not subject to immunity.According to Friday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.229.0_4.pdf" target="_blank">joint filing</a>&nbsp;in which each side laid out plans for the case going forward, Trump’s team also warned they will challenge that Trump’s tweets and communication about the 2020 presidential results should be considered all official acts.Additionally, Trump plans to file a motion to dismiss the case based on the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-ruling-obstruction-law-helps-cases-jan-6-defendants" target="_blank">June ruling</a>&nbsp;that a Jan. 6 rioter could not be charged with obstructing an official proceeding — a charge that Trump also faces.

Judge: Trump’s Jan. 6 case won’t be delayed by upcoming election

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman is going to prison for a drug deal overdose death.

Last week, Judge Thomas Sutherland sentenced 54-year-old Yahne Brown to 12 years in prison for distribution of drugs leading to death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In July, Brown was convicted for the fentanyl overdose death of 32-year-old Steven Cantrell in 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725034859209.png" alt="Brown photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman is going to prison for a drug deal overdose death.Last week, Judge Thomas Sutherland sentenced 54-year-old Yahne Brown to 12 years in prison for distribution of drugs leading to death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In July, Brown was convicted for the fentanyl overdose death of 32-year-old Steven Cantrell in 2020.

Kan. woman going to prison for man's fentanyl overdose death

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri’s backlog of unresolved child abuse and neglect cases has fallen by more than 80% since January, with officials anticipating it will be eliminated by the end of the year.&nbsp;

From last September to January, there were over 10,000 open child abuse and neglect cases each month that had been languishing for over 45 days, raising&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2023-09-06/over-6000-st-louis-area-child-abuse-and-neglect-cases-remain-open-due-to-staff-shortages" target="_blank">concerns about child safety.&nbsp;</a>

Most of those cases were in St. Louis.&nbsp;

That number has fallen every month this year, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25083024-backlog-can-over_45_days" target="_blank">records obtained by The Independent through the Missouri Sunshine Law</a>,&nbsp;and now stands at 1,869 open cases statewide as of July.&nbsp;

“I’m very proud of our team,” said Darrell Missey, director of Children’s Division, Missouri’s child welfare agency. “They’ve worked really hard to take care of that backlog.”

There were over 6,000 open cases in St. Louis alone in January, which dropped to 74 in July.

Missey said the Children’s Division is almost fully staffed now — a “remarkable turnaround” from the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/19/this-job-is-impossible-high-turnover-low-morale-plague-missouri-child-welfare-agency/">hundreds of vacancies</a>&nbsp;it had in recent years.&nbsp;

“It shows what can happen when you start getting enough staff, and I think they’ve done a terrific job,” Missey said.

Jessica Seitz,&nbsp;executive director of Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missourikidsfirst.org/" target="_blank">Network Against Child Abuse</a>, an organization that represents child advocacy centers across the state, said she is “really pleased” to see the improvement.

“The division turned an immediate eye toward this and made this a priority,” she said.&nbsp;

Seitz hopes the cases were thoroughly investigated before being closed, noting that there are “kids behind every case, and so it’s my sincere hope that safety remained a priority as we looked at closing these.”

State&nbsp;<a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/making-and-screening-reports-child-abuse-and-neglect-missouri/" target="_blank">law</a>&nbsp;requires Children’s Division staff to investigate and complete assessments for child abuse and neglect hotline reports within a 45 day window unless there is good cause for a delay.&nbsp;

Investigations typically&nbsp;<a href="https://dssmanuals.mo.gov/child-welfare-manual/section-2-chapter-5-child-abuse-and-neglect-reports-subsection-2-general-procedures-for-completing-a-ca-n-report/" target="_blank">include</a>&nbsp;speaking to the hotline caller, going to a family’s house, interviewing the child and family members and checking the safety of the house. When the investigation is complete, staff issue a report determining whether the finding was substantiated or unsubstantiated.&nbsp;

Around&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/cs/2023-missouri-childrens-division-annual-report.pdf" target="_blank">5%</a>&nbsp;of investigations result in a substantiated conclusion of abuse or neglect. Those children can be removed from their homes and taken into foster care.

But staffing issues over the last few years resulted in huge caseloads and delays getting those investigations done and reports out the door, especially in St. Louis.

As&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2023-09-06/over-6000-st-louis-area-child-abuse-and-neglect-cases-remain-open-due-to-staff-shortages" target="_blank">St. Louis Public Radio reported</a>&nbsp;last year, the regional backlog spurred concern among advocates and lawmakers that children could be unsafe.&nbsp;

The state worked with the consulting firm Change &amp; Innovation Agency to focus on the St. Louis area workload, according to a July&nbsp;<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3a8ae3e" target="_blank">press release</a>&nbsp;from the Missouri Department of Social Services.&nbsp;

One of the consultants, Bill Bott, is quoted as saying among the several states and welfare offices the group has worked with, “St. Louis was, by far, the hardest hit by this national capacity crisis.”

The long-open investigations can also cause families stress, as the threat of having their kids taken away looms for months.

And high caseloads have&nbsp;contributed to a cycle of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/19/this-job-is-impossible-high-turnover-low-morale-plague-missouri-child-welfare-agency/">turnover in Children’s Division.</a>

Now, the majority of overdue cases — 1,136 cases in July — are from Kansas City.&nbsp;

Seitz said she is “alarmed” that that number is still high, but acknowledged it’s much lower than it was. Last September, that stood at over 3,000.

The agency has long struggled more to find staff in metropolitan parts of the state because the salaries aren’t adjusted for location-based cost-of-living. Entry level child welfare workers start at&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/29/missouri-governor-candidates-say-higher-pay-improved-tech-needed-to-fix-ailing-safety-net/">salaries of just over $44,000.</a>&nbsp;They can make more in Illinois, Missey said.

The agency is getting to a place where the open cases are open due to an ongoing investigation, Missey said, and not just because they’re having trouble keeping up.

“All the backlog,” he said, “should be resolved by the end of the year, or close to it.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725571170713.png" alt="A family enters the Missouri Department of Social Services resource center in Columbia on April 18, 2023 (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>A family enters the Missouri Department of Social Services resource center in Columbia on April 18, 2023 (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s backlog of unresolved child abuse and neglect cases has fallen by more than 80% since January, with officials anticipating it will be eliminated by the end of the year.&nbsp;From last September to January, there were over 10,000 open child abuse and neglect cases each month that had been languishing for over 45 days, raising&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2023-09-06/over-6000-st-louis-area-child-abuse-and-neglect-cases-remain-open-due-to-staff-shortages" target="_blank">concerns about child safety.&nbsp;</a>Most of those cases were in St. Louis.&nbsp;That number has fallen every month this year, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25083024-backlog-can-over_45_days" target="_blank">records obtained by The Independent through the Missouri Sunshine Law</a>,&nbsp;and now stands at 1,869 open cases statewide as of July.&nbsp;“I’m very proud of our team,” said Darrell Missey, director of Children’s Division, Missouri’s child welfare agency. “They’ve worked really hard to take care of that backlog.”There were over 6,000 open cases in St. Louis alone in January, which dropped to 74 in July.Missey said the Children’s Division is almost fully staffed now — a “remarkable turnaround” from the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/19/this-job-is-impossible-high-turnover-low-morale-plague-missouri-child-welfare-agency/">hundreds of vacancies</a>&nbsp;it had in recent years.&nbsp;“It shows what can happen when you start getting enough staff, and I think they’ve done a terrific job,” Missey said.Jessica Seitz,&nbsp;executive director of Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missourikidsfirst.org/" target="_blank">Network Against Child Abuse</a>, an organization that represents child advocacy centers across the state, said she is “really pleased” to see the improvement.“The division turned an immediate eye toward this and made this a priority,” she said.&nbsp;Seitz hopes the cases were thoroughly investigated before being closed, noting that there are “kids behind every case, and so it’s my sincere hope that safety remained a priority as we looked at closing these.”State&nbsp;<a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/making-and-screening-reports-child-abuse-and-neglect-missouri/" target="_blank">law</a>&nbsp;requires Children’s Division staff to investigate and complete assessments for child abuse and neglect hotline reports within a 45 day window unless there is good cause for a delay.&nbsp;Investigations typically&nbsp;<a href="https://dssmanuals.mo.gov/child-welfare-manual/section-2-chapter-5-child-abuse-and-neglect-reports-subsection-2-general-procedures-for-completing-a-ca-n-report/" target="_blank">include</a>&nbsp;speaking to the hotline caller, going to a family’s house, interviewing the child and family members and checking the safety of the house. When the investigation is complete, staff issue a report determining whether the finding was substantiated or unsubstantiated.&nbsp;Around&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/cs/2023-missouri-childrens-division-annual-report.pdf" target="_blank">5%</a>&nbsp;of investigations result in a substantiated conclusion of abuse or neglect. Those children can be removed from their homes and taken into foster care.But staffing issues over the last few years resulted in huge caseloads and delays getting those investigations done and reports out the door, especially in St. Louis.As&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2023-09-06/over-6000-st-louis-area-child-abuse-and-neglect-cases-remain-open-due-to-staff-shortages" target="_blank">St. Louis Public Radio reported</a>&nbsp;last year, the regional backlog spurred concern among advocates and lawmakers that children could be unsafe.&nbsp;The state worked with the consulting firm Change &amp; Innovation Agency to focus on the St. Louis area workload, according to a July&nbsp;<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3a8ae3e" target="_blank">press release</a>&nbsp;from the Missouri Department of Social Services.&nbsp;One of the consultants, Bill Bott, is quoted as saying among the several states and welfare offices the group has worked with, “St. Louis was, by far, the hardest hit by this national capacity crisis.”The long-open investigations can also cause families stress, as the threat of having their kids taken away looms for months.And high caseloads have&nbsp;contributed to a cycle of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/19/this-job-is-impossible-high-turnover-low-morale-plague-missouri-child-welfare-agency/">turnover in Children’s Division.</a>Now, the majority of overdue cases — 1,136 cases in July — are from Kansas City.&nbsp;Seitz said she is “alarmed” that that number is still high, but acknowledged it’s much lower than it was. Last September, that stood at over 3,000.The agency has long struggled more to find staff in metropolitan parts of the state because the salaries aren’t adjusted for location-based cost-of-living. Entry level child welfare workers start at&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/29/missouri-governor-candidates-say-higher-pay-improved-tech-needed-to-fix-ailing-safety-net/">salaries of just over $44,000.</a>&nbsp;They can make more in Illinois, Missey said.The agency is getting to a place where the open cases are open due to an ongoing investigation, Missey said, and not just because they’re having trouble keeping up.“All the backlog,” he said, “should be resolved by the end of the year, or close to it.”&nbsp;

Backlog of Missouri child abuse and neglect cases down more than 80% this year

‘ChiefsAholic’ Committed 11 Bank Robberies in Seven States, Laundered Proceeds Through Area Casinos

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A man popularly known as Kansas City Chiefs superfan “ChiefsAholic” was sentenced in federal court Thursday on charges related to a string of 11 robberies, or attempted robberies, in which he stole $847,725 from financial institutions in seven states, according to the United State's Attorney.

“While parading as a social media celebrity, the defendant secretly engaged in a violent crime spree of armed robberies and attempted robberies across seven states,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “Babudar’s robbery spree bankrolled the expensive tickets and travel across the country to attend Kansas City Chiefs games while he cultivated a large fan base online. However, the bank and credit union employees whom he terrorized at gunpoint suffered the brunt of his true nature. He tried to flee from justice, but law enforcement caught up with him and now he will spend a significant portion of his life in prison.”

Xaviar Michael Babudar, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Babudar to pay $532,675 in restitution to the victim financial institutions. Some of the stolen money was recovered, but most of it was not.

The court ordered Babudar to forfeit to the government any property involved in his money laundering activity, including an autographed painting of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick L. Mahomes II that has been recovered by the FBI.

“The actions of Babudar were brazen and traumatic for the bank employees robbed in Bixby, Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson of the Northern District of Oklahoma. “A big thank you to the Bixby Police Department for their hard work in collaboration with the FBI Tulsa field office, who helped detain Babudar in Oklahoma.”

“The bank was not the only victim of these crimes,” stated Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “Babudar terrorized bank employees throughout his multi-state crime spree, while relishing his celebrity status. Today’s sentencing speaks to the severity of his actions and the significant law enforcement assistance and resources utilized across multiple states to hold him accountable for his violent and criminal behavior.”

On Feb. 28, 2024, Babudar pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of transporting stolen property across state lines. Babudar also pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery, which is contained in a separate case filed in the Northern District of Oklahoma. The court today sentenced Babudar to 17 years and six months in federal prison in the Western District of Missouri case and 17 years and six months in prison in the Northern District of Oklahoma case, to be served concurrently.

Babudar also admitted that he engaged in a string of nine bank and credit union robberies (or attempted robberies) in 2022 followed by two bank robberies committed while he was a fugitive from justice. Babudar laundered much of the stolen money through area casinos and online gambling.

Babudar, who lived a nomadic existence at various locations around the Kansas City metropolitan area, enjoyed a robust social media presence as Kansas City Chiefs superfan Twitter user @ChiefsAholic, attending most games dressed as a wolf in Chiefs clothing.

Babudar pleaded guilty to stealing $70,000 from the Clive, Iowa, branch of Great Western Bank on March 2, 2022. Babudar admitted that he entered the bank wearing a ski mask and handed the bank teller a note demanding money and indicating he had a firearm. As he fled on foot, Babudar left behind a black glove and approximately $1,420 in $20 bills in a wooded area near the bank. Investigators later recovered Babudar’s DNA from the black glove. Babudar then carried this money to Missouri, depositing it in two separate transactions into his personal savings account in an attempt to conceal the criminal nature of the proceeds.

Babudar also pleaded guilty to stealing $139,500 from Tulsa Teachers Federal Credit Union in Bixby, Okla., on Dec. 16, 2022. Babudar admitted that he entered the credit union armed with what appeared to be a black handgun, jumped the teller counter, and ordered a bank employee at gunpoint to go to the credit union’s vault. Once at the vault, Babudar demanded that bank employees open the vault and put the money from the vault into a plastic bag. During this robbery, Babudar told credit union employees that if they did not comply he would shoot them.

When Babudar was arrested shortly after the robbery, he had a large bag in his possession that contained $139,500 in $100 bills plus $10,750 in $50 bills, totaling $150,250 in cash. When investigators searched his 2019 Mazda 3, they found numerous pairs of goggles and gloves, which Babudar wore during a series of bank robberies. Investigators also found a Barstool Sportsbook Betslip for $20,000, dated Nov. 19, 2022; a FanDuel Betslip for $4,000, dated Dec. 1, 2022; and letters from Community America Credit Union related to his deposits of $20,000 and $50,000 on May 2, 2022.

Babudar also admitted that he committed, or attempted to commit, nine robberies of banks and credit unions in addition to the two to which he pleaded guilty. Those crimes, including two bank robberies committed while Babudar was a fugitive from justice, were considered as relevant conduct for sentencing.

Babudar admitted that he stole $170,860 from the Omaha, Nebraska, branch of First National Bank of Omaha on April 28, 2022. Babudar entered the bank armed with what appeared to be a firearm and ordered bank employees to open their vault. Omaha police officers recovered $163,560 following the theft.

Babudar admitted that he stole $303,845 from the West Des Moines, Iowa, branch of First Class Community Credit Union on July 13, 2022. Babudar brandished what appeared to be a silver and black firearm, jumped over the teller counter, and demanded that the bank employees open the bank vault. After carrying the stolen money back to Missouri, Babudar began laundering this money through area casinos, depositing the cash he received from these casinos into his personal bank account.

Babudar admitted that he stole $125,900 from the Nashville, Tennessee, branch of The Tennessee Credit Union on Nov. 17, 2022. Babudar, armed with what appeared to be a black and silver firearm, climbed over the bank teller counter. He pressed the firearm against the teller’s body and demanded that credit union employees take him to the vault. Employees complied with Babudar’s demands, provided him with cash from the teller drawers, and took him to the vault. Babudar told credit union employees that if he was given a dye pack he would “come back and put a bullet in your head.” After Babudar fled on foot, a hat was recovered; investigators extracted DNA from the hat that matched the DNA extracted from Babudar’s glove in the March 2, 2022, robbery. A few days later, Babudar used some of the stolen money to purchase $20,000 in casino chips in multiple transactions from a local casino.

Babudar admitted that he attempted to rob Wings Financial Credit Union in Savage, Minnesota, on Nov. 29, 2022. Babudar entered this credit union with what appeared to be a firearm and demanded that credit union employees open the vault. Babudar fled from the credit union, however, after seeing the vault only held small bills.

Babudar admitted that he attempted to rob Royal Credit Union in Apple Valley, Minn., on Nov. 29, 2022. Babudar entered the credit union with what appeared to be a firearm and demanded that credit union employees open the vault. When he saw the vault only contained small bills, Babudar demanded $100 bills. Credit union employees told him they didn’t keep $100 bills in the vault, and Babudar fled on foot.

Babudar admitted that he stole $25,000 from the Clive, Iowa, branch of First Interstate Bank on Nov. 30, 2022. Following the two unsuccessful robberies the previous day, Babudar returned to the same facility he had robbed on March 2, 2022, which had since then become a branch of First Interstate Bank. Babudar entered the bank carrying what appeared to be a firearm and jumped over the teller counter. He ordered the bank employees, at gunpoint, to open the vault. He fled on foot after the bank employees gave him the cash in the vault. Babudar then carried the stolen money back to Missouri, where he deposited a portion of it into his personal bank account.

Babudar admitted that he attempted to rob Pinnacle Bank in Papillon, Nebraska, on Dec. 15, 2022. At approximately 1:55 p.m., Babudar entered the vestibule area of Pinnacle Bank and pulled on the doors, but was unable to open them. He then left the area. The next day, he robbed the Tulsa Teachers Federal Credit Union and was arrested.

Babudar, after being arrested in Oklahoma in December 2022, was released on bond in the state case in February 2023.

Months earlier, Babudar had placed two winning bets at the Argosy Casino in Alton, Ill. On June 10, 2022, Babudar bet $5,000 that Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes II would win the Most Valuable Player at Super Bowl LVII, which would pay out $45,000 should that occur. Babudar also bet $5,000 that the Kansas City Chiefs would win Super Bowl LVII, which would pay out $55,000 should that occur. When the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl on Feb. 12, 2023, and Mahomes won the Most Valuable Player award, Babudar won $100,000. Argosy Casino mailed Babudar a $100,000 check in early March 2023.

Days later, Babudar cut his ankle monitor and fled from Oklahoma. According to court documents, Babudar used his gambling winnings to purchase a vehicle in Henderson, Nevada, and evade law enforcement until his arrest in Sacramento on July 7, 2023.

Babudar admitted that he robbed two additional banks while he was a fugitive from justice.

Babudar admitted that he stole $1,100 from Heritage Bank in Sparks, Nevada, on June 8, 2023. Babudar entered the bank wearing a beanie, a Covid-19 mask, a blue long-sleeved shirt, khaki pants, and a fanny pack. Babudar showed a note to the Heritage Bank teller that was composed on his cell phone, which demanded money from the teller.

Babudar admitted that he stole $950 from U.S. Bank in El Dorado Hills, California, on July 3, 2023. Babudar entered the bank wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, a Covid-19 mask, and a yellow reflective vest. Babudar showed a note to the U.S. Bank teller that was composed on his cell phone, which demanded money from the teller.

Babudar has been detained in federal custody without bond since his arrest on July 7, 2023.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick D. Daly and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie C. Bradshaw in the Western District of Missouri, and U.S. Attorney Clinton J. Johnson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O. Johnston in the Northern District of Oklahoma. It was investigated by the FBI and the Bixby, Okla., Police Department. The Bixby, Okla., Police Department arrested Babudar in December 2022, and the Placer County, Calif., Sheriff’s Department and the Lincoln, Calif., Police Department assisted the FBI in the July 2023 arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689010403536.png" alt="Babudar fron an earlier arrest in Tulsa County" />
 <figcaption>Babudar fron an earlier arrest in Tulsa County</figcaption>
 </figure>‘ChiefsAholic’ Committed 11 Bank Robberies in Seven States, Laundered Proceeds Through Area CasinosKANSAS CITY, Mo. – A man popularly known as Kansas City Chiefs superfan “ChiefsAholic” was sentenced in federal court Thursday on charges related to a string of 11 robberies, or attempted robberies, in which he stole $847,725 from financial institutions in seven states, according to the United State's Attorney.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ejVWEofiHBI?si=5dOjRY5klpUsbPr5" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“While parading as a social media celebrity, the defendant secretly engaged in a violent crime spree of armed robberies and attempted robberies across seven states,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “Babudar’s robbery spree bankrolled the expensive tickets and travel across the country to attend Kansas City Chiefs games while he cultivated a large fan base online. However, the bank and credit union employees whom he terrorized at gunpoint suffered the brunt of his true nature. He tried to flee from justice, but law enforcement caught up with him and now he will spend a significant portion of his life in prison.”Xaviar Michael Babudar, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Babudar to pay $532,675 in restitution to the victim financial institutions. Some of the stolen money was recovered, but most of it was not.The court ordered Babudar to forfeit to the government any property involved in his money laundering activity, including an autographed painting of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick L. Mahomes II that has been recovered by the FBI.“The actions of Babudar were brazen and traumatic for the bank employees robbed in Bixby, Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson of the Northern District of Oklahoma. “A big thank you to the Bixby Police Department for their hard work in collaboration with the FBI Tulsa field office, who helped detain Babudar in Oklahoma.”“The bank was not the only victim of these crimes,” stated Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “Babudar terrorized bank employees throughout his multi-state crime spree, while relishing his celebrity status. Today’s sentencing speaks to the severity of his actions and the significant law enforcement assistance and resources utilized across multiple states to hold him accountable for his violent and criminal behavior.”On Feb. 28, 2024, Babudar pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of transporting stolen property across state lines. Babudar also pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery, which is contained in a separate case filed in the Northern District of Oklahoma. The court today sentenced Babudar to 17 years and six months in federal prison in the Western District of Missouri case and 17 years and six months in prison in the Northern District of Oklahoma case, to be served concurrently.Babudar also admitted that he engaged in a string of nine bank and credit union robberies (or attempted robberies) in 2022 followed by two bank robberies committed while he was a fugitive from justice. Babudar laundered much of the stolen money through area casinos and online gambling.Babudar, who lived a nomadic existence at various locations around the Kansas City metropolitan area, enjoyed a robust social media presence as Kansas City Chiefs superfan Twitter user @ChiefsAholic, attending most games dressed as a wolf in Chiefs clothing.Babudar pleaded guilty to stealing $70,000 from the Clive, Iowa, branch of Great Western Bank on March 2, 2022. Babudar admitted that he entered the bank wearing a ski mask and handed the bank teller a note demanding money and indicating he had a firearm. As he fled on foot, Babudar left behind a black glove and approximately $1,420 in $20 bills in a wooded area near the bank. Investigators later recovered Babudar’s DNA from the black glove. Babudar then carried this money to Missouri, depositing it in two separate transactions into his personal savings account in an attempt to conceal the criminal nature of the proceeds.Babudar also pleaded guilty to stealing $139,500 from Tulsa Teachers Federal Credit Union in Bixby, Okla., on Dec. 16, 2022. Babudar admitted that he entered the credit union armed with what appeared to be a black handgun, jumped the teller counter, and ordered a bank employee at gunpoint to go to the credit union’s vault. Once at the vault, Babudar demanded that bank employees open the vault and put the money from the vault into a plastic bag. During this robbery, Babudar told credit union employees that if they did not comply he would shoot them.When Babudar was arrested shortly after the robbery, he had a large bag in his possession that contained $139,500 in $100 bills plus $10,750 in $50 bills, totaling $150,250 in cash. When investigators searched his 2019 Mazda 3, they found numerous pairs of goggles and gloves, which Babudar wore during a series of bank robberies. Investigators also found a Barstool Sportsbook Betslip for $20,000, dated Nov. 19, 2022; a FanDuel Betslip for $4,000, dated Dec. 1, 2022; and letters from Community America Credit Union related to his deposits of $20,000 and $50,000 on May 2, 2022.Babudar also admitted that he committed, or attempted to commit, nine robberies of banks and credit unions in addition to the two to which he pleaded guilty. Those crimes, including two bank robberies committed while Babudar was a fugitive from justice, were considered as relevant conduct for sentencing.Babudar admitted that he stole $170,860 from the Omaha, Nebraska, branch of First National Bank of Omaha on April 28, 2022. Babudar entered the bank armed with what appeared to be a firearm and ordered bank employees to open their vault. Omaha police officers recovered $163,560 following the theft.Babudar admitted that he stole $303,845 from the West Des Moines, Iowa, branch of First Class Community Credit Union on July 13, 2022. Babudar brandished what appeared to be a silver and black firearm, jumped over the teller counter, and demanded that the bank employees open the bank vault. After carrying the stolen money back to Missouri, Babudar began laundering this money through area casinos, depositing the cash he received from these casinos into his personal bank account.Babudar admitted that he stole $125,900 from the Nashville, Tennessee, branch of The Tennessee Credit Union on Nov. 17, 2022. Babudar, armed with what appeared to be a black and silver firearm, climbed over the bank teller counter. He pressed the firearm against the teller’s body and demanded that credit union employees take him to the vault. Employees complied with Babudar’s demands, provided him with cash from the teller drawers, and took him to the vault. Babudar told credit union employees that if he was given a dye pack he would “come back and put a bullet in your head.” After Babudar fled on foot, a hat was recovered; investigators extracted DNA from the hat that matched the DNA extracted from Babudar’s glove in the March 2, 2022, robbery. A few days later, Babudar used some of the stolen money to purchase $20,000 in casino chips in multiple transactions from a local casino.Babudar admitted that he attempted to rob Wings Financial Credit Union in Savage, Minnesota, on Nov. 29, 2022. Babudar entered this credit union with what appeared to be a firearm and demanded that credit union employees open the vault. Babudar fled from the credit union, however, after seeing the vault only held small bills.Babudar admitted that he attempted to rob Royal Credit Union in Apple Valley, Minn., on Nov. 29, 2022. Babudar entered the credit union with what appeared to be a firearm and demanded that credit union employees open the vault. When he saw the vault only contained small bills, Babudar demanded $100 bills. Credit union employees told him they didn’t keep $100 bills in the vault, and Babudar fled on foot.Babudar admitted that he stole $25,000 from the Clive, Iowa, branch of First Interstate Bank on Nov. 30, 2022. Following the two unsuccessful robberies the previous day, Babudar returned to the same facility he had robbed on March 2, 2022, which had since then become a branch of First Interstate Bank. Babudar entered the bank carrying what appeared to be a firearm and jumped over the teller counter. He ordered the bank employees, at gunpoint, to open the vault. He fled on foot after the bank employees gave him the cash in the vault. Babudar then carried the stolen money back to Missouri, where he deposited a portion of it into his personal bank account.Babudar admitted that he attempted to rob Pinnacle Bank in Papillon, Nebraska, on Dec. 15, 2022. At approximately 1:55 p.m., Babudar entered the vestibule area of Pinnacle Bank and pulled on the doors, but was unable to open them. He then left the area. The next day, he robbed the Tulsa Teachers Federal Credit Union and was arrested.Babudar, after being arrested in Oklahoma in December 2022, was released on bond in the state case in February 2023.Months earlier, Babudar had placed two winning bets at the Argosy Casino in Alton, Ill. On June 10, 2022, Babudar bet $5,000 that Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes II would win the Most Valuable Player at Super Bowl LVII, which would pay out $45,000 should that occur. Babudar also bet $5,000 that the Kansas City Chiefs would win Super Bowl LVII, which would pay out $55,000 should that occur. When the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl on Feb. 12, 2023, and Mahomes won the Most Valuable Player award, Babudar won $100,000. Argosy Casino mailed Babudar a $100,000 check in early March 2023.Days later, Babudar cut his ankle monitor and fled from Oklahoma. According to court documents, Babudar used his gambling winnings to purchase a vehicle in Henderson, Nevada, and evade law enforcement until his arrest in Sacramento on July 7, 2023.Babudar admitted that he robbed two additional banks while he was a fugitive from justice.Babudar admitted that he stole $1,100 from Heritage Bank in Sparks, Nevada, on June 8, 2023. Babudar entered the bank wearing a beanie, a Covid-19 mask, a blue long-sleeved shirt, khaki pants, and a fanny pack. Babudar showed a note to the Heritage Bank teller that was composed on his cell phone, which demanded money from the teller.Babudar admitted that he stole $950 from U.S. Bank in El Dorado Hills, California, on July 3, 2023. Babudar entered the bank wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, a Covid-19 mask, and a yellow reflective vest. Babudar showed a note to the U.S. Bank teller that was composed on his cell phone, which demanded money from the teller.Babudar has been detained in federal custody without bond since his arrest on July 7, 2023.This case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick D. Daly and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie C. Bradshaw in the Western District of Missouri, and U.S. Attorney Clinton J. Johnson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O. Johnston in the Northern District of Oklahoma. It was investigated by the FBI and the Bixby, Okla., Police Department. The Bixby, Okla., Police Department arrested Babudar in December 2022, and the Placer County, Calif., Sheriff’s Department and the Lincoln, Calif., Police Department assisted the FBI in the July 2023 arrest.

KC Chiefs 'Superfan' sentenced as team set to open 2024 season

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged computer crime in Manhattan.

Just before 5p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of theft/unlawful acts concerning computers in the 500 block of Richards Drive, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;Four Points by Sheraton reported an estimated $20,000 had been stolen through hacking by an unknown subject through fraudulent credit card transaction that started in July and extending through August. 

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged computer crime in Manhattan.Just before 5p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of theft/unlawful acts concerning computers in the 500 block of Richards Drive, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;Four Points by Sheraton reported an estimated $20,000 had been stolen through hacking by an unknown subject through fraudulent credit card transaction that started in July and extending through August. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Police: Kan. hotel lost $20,000 in alleged computer hack

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating a gunfight in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 19-year-old&nbsp;Tondre Turner,&nbsp; according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just before 11.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at a house in 9600 block of Ditman Way, according to Becchina.

First responders located two shooting victims in front of the home. EMS transported both men to the hospital with gunshot injuries. One of the victims was being treated for non-life threatening injuries. Turner was declared deceased by hospital staff, according to Becchina.

Preliminary information according to people that were at the scene when police arrived indicates that prior to the shooting the Turner arrived at the residence and an argument erupted which escalated and led to gunfire between both shooting victims, and both victims were struck. The victims are known to one another and detectives are not looking for any additional suspects.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating a gunfight in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 19-year-old&nbsp;Tondre Turner,&nbsp; according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just before 11.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at a house in 9600 block of Ditman Way, according to Becchina.First responders located two shooting victims in front of the home. EMS transported both men to the hospital with gunshot injuries. One of the victims was being treated for non-life threatening injuries. Turner was declared deceased by hospital staff, according to Becchina.Preliminary information according to people that were at the scene when police arrived indicates that prior to the shooting the Turner arrived at the residence and an argument erupted which escalated and led to gunfire between both shooting victims, and both victims were struck. The victims are known to one another and detectives are not looking for any additional suspects.

Police ID man who died in gunfight outside KC home

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a child's death and have made an arrest.

Just after 5:30p.m. September 3, police and Troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control responded to a residence in Montgomery City after a 2-year-old was found deceased in an apartment, according to a media release.

Police obtained a search warrant for the residence and investigators found drugs and paraphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Officers took 35-year-old Bryan E. Danter of Montgomery City on requested chartees of endangering the welfare of a child, trafficking drugs and possession of a controlled substance.

Danter is being held in the Montgomery County jail without bond. The cause of the child's death is pending an autopsy.&nbsp; Police released no additional details due to their ongoing investigation.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a child's death and have made an arrest.Just after 5:30p.m. September 3, police and Troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control responded to a residence in Montgomery City after a 2-year-old was found deceased in an apartment, according to a media release.Police obtained a search warrant for the residence and investigators found drugs and paraphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;Officers took 35-year-old Bryan E. Danter of Montgomery City on requested chartees of endangering the welfare of a child, trafficking drugs and possession of a controlled substance.Danter is being held in the Montgomery County jail without bond. The cause of the child's death is pending an autopsy.&nbsp; Police released no additional details due to their ongoing investigation.

Missouri man in custody after 2-year-old found dead in apartment

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an alleged violent fight at Milford Lake.

Just after noon Aug. 18, sheriff's deputies took a report of an alleged physical altercation that took place at Nudie Beach on Milford Lake August. 17, according to a media release.

During the investigation deputies learned Kurtis Geisler of Leonardville&nbsp; was at the beach with family and friends. A suspect identified as&nbsp;42-year-old Ryan Diedrich of Randolph made&nbsp; threats of harm toward Geisler and a physical altercation took place between the two men.

Witnesses told deputies Diedrich had attempted to drown Geisler by holding him underwater, before being pulled off by others. Geisler sustained minor injuries that were later medically treated.

On Wednesday afternoon, deputies arrested Ryan Levi Diedrich on requested charges of Attempted Murder (2nd Degree) and Criminal Threat. He is currently being held at the Geary County Detention Center without bond, pending his first court appearance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725531791535.png" alt="Diedrich photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Diedrich photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an alleged violent fight at Milford Lake.Just after noon Aug. 18, sheriff's deputies took a report of an alleged physical altercation that took place at Nudie Beach on Milford Lake August. 17, according to a media release.During the investigation deputies learned Kurtis Geisler of Leonardville&nbsp; was at the beach with family and friends. A suspect identified as&nbsp;42-year-old Ryan Diedrich of Randolph made&nbsp; threats of harm toward Geisler and a physical altercation took place between the two men.Witnesses told deputies Diedrich had attempted to drown Geisler by holding him underwater, before being pulled off by others. Geisler sustained minor injuries that were later medically treated.On Wednesday afternoon, deputies arrested Ryan Levi Diedrich on requested charges of Attempted Murder (2nd Degree) and Criminal Threat. He is currently being held at the Geary County Detention Center without bond, pending his first court appearance.

Suspect accused of attempting to drown man at Kansas lake

GREENE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 9p.m. Wednesday in Greene County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Fusion driven by Stephen W. Branstetter, 36, Mount Vernon, was westbound on Interstate 44 nine miles west of Springfield in slow moving traffic due to construction ahead.

The driver attempted to change lanes to pass a slow moving 2019 Freightliner semi and rear-ended the trailer.&nbsp; Branstetter was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver from Texas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

GREENE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 9p.m. Wednesday in Greene County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Fusion driven by Stephen W. Branstetter, 36, Mount Vernon, was westbound on Interstate 44 nine miles west of Springfield in slow moving traffic due to construction ahead.The driver attempted to change lanes to pass a slow moving 2019 Freightliner semi and rear-ended the trailer.&nbsp; Branstetter was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver from Texas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after car rear-ends semi's trailer

JERUSALEM —Salvage efforts continue in the Red Sea after&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers, the Panama flagged/owned, Greek operated MV BLUE LAGOON I and the Saudi flagged, owned, and operated MV AMJAD, with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack drone hitting both vessels, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

 Both vessels are laden with crude oil. The MV AMJAD is carrying approximately two million barrels of oil, almost twice the amount onboard the Greek-owned MV DELTA SOUNION, which the Houthis attacked on Aug. 21. 

The disabled MV DELTA SOUNION was on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster.

These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk.. 

In addition U.S. forces this week successfully destroyed three terrorist missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708804229711.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —Salvage efforts continue in the Red Sea after&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers, the Panama flagged/owned, Greek operated MV BLUE LAGOON I and the Saudi flagged, owned, and operated MV AMJAD, with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack drone hitting both vessels, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. Both vessels are laden with crude oil. The MV AMJAD is carrying approximately two million barrels of oil, almost twice the amount onboard the Greek-owned MV DELTA SOUNION, which the Houthis attacked on Aug. 21. The disabled MV DELTA SOUNION was on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster.These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk.. In addition U.S. forces this week successfully destroyed three terrorist missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

US military: Terrorists attack more oil tankers in the Red Sea

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal accident that occurred Tuesday in Shawnee County have identified the victim as 17-year-old Hunter L. Schmidt, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Just after 8p.m. sheriff's deputies and emergency crews responded to a 911 call regarding an injury accident involving a dirt bike in the 5100 Block of NW Leedy Road, according to Christian.

Despite first responders effort to provided life-saving measures at the scene, Schimdt was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.&nbsp;

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal accident that occurred Tuesday in Shawnee County have identified the victim as 17-year-old Hunter L. Schmidt, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Just after 8p.m. sheriff's deputies and emergency crews responded to a 911 call regarding an injury accident involving a dirt bike in the 5100 Block of NW Leedy Road, according to Christian.Despite first responders effort to provided life-saving measures at the scene, Schimdt was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.&nbsp;

Sheriff IDs 17-year-old Kan. boy who died in dirt bike accident

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Missouri man is facing federal charges after making threats on TikTok towards Donald Trump, other Republicans, and police, according to the United State's Attorney.

On July 31, Justin White posted a video on TikTok saying, “This goes to every Republican out there. You don’t start playing fair with them votes, I’ll start showing up with a gun, I promise you. I’ll show you what real [EXPLETIVE] violence is, and I’m not afraid to kill you or a [EXPLETIVE] cop. So, if you want to play dirty at the votes this year, in 2024, just remember, where I come from, we get physical. So, if you Republicans don’t play fair, there will be guns and violence involved this year." according to federal court documents.

The caption of the video stated, “This is a message to Donald Trump and the Republicans. If you don’t play…”

On August 22, White made three similar explicit posts on his Facebook page, making threats to kill police. One of the posts included a picture of a gun and ammunition.

Federal investigators say White is a known person to the Springfield Police Department because he posted similar videos in the past.

On August 29, federal investigators searched White’s house and arrested him. Authorities recovered a gun and 100 bullets.

During his post-Miranda interview, White told investigators his hatred towards police started because of videos on TikTok and YouTube about cops being aggressive or violent. He also mentioned when he was a teenager in St. Louis, he was involved in a shooting with a police officer.

According to the FBI, White made the Facebook posts because he was angry after, he believed, he saw an officer stopped at his house looking at his cars. White said he had gotten into an argument with someone about politics on TikTok before he posted that video.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725445826277.png" alt="White-photo Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>White-photo Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Missouri man is facing federal charges after making threats on TikTok towards Donald Trump, other Republicans, and police, according to the United State's Attorney.On July 31, Justin White posted a video on TikTok saying, “This goes to every Republican out there. You don’t start playing fair with them votes, I’ll start showing up with a gun, I promise you. I’ll show you what real [EXPLETIVE] violence is, and I’m not afraid to kill you or a [EXPLETIVE] cop. So, if you want to play dirty at the votes this year, in 2024, just remember, where I come from, we get physical. So, if you Republicans don’t play fair, there will be guns and violence involved this year." according to federal court documents.The caption of the video stated, “This is a message to Donald Trump and the Republicans. If you don’t play…”On August 22, White made three similar explicit posts on his Facebook page, making threats to kill police. One of the posts included a picture of a gun and ammunition.Federal investigators say White is a known person to the Springfield Police Department because he posted similar videos in the past.On August 29, federal investigators searched White’s house and arrested him. Authorities recovered a gun and 100 bullets.During his post-Miranda interview, White told investigators his hatred towards police started because of videos on TikTok and YouTube about cops being aggressive or violent. He also mentioned when he was a teenager in St. Louis, he was involved in a shooting with a police officer.According to the FBI, White made the Facebook posts because he was angry after, he believed, he saw an officer stopped at his house looking at his cars. White said he had gotten into an argument with someone about politics on TikTok before he posted that video.

Man accused of making social media threats against Trump, GOP

Topeka, Kan. –&nbsp; a Kansas woman&nbsp; has been sentenced for insurance fraud in connection with an accident.

&nbsp;Misty Jane Dial, 33, Arkansas City, was sentenced to 18 months of probation, according to&nbsp;Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt.

On July 9, Dial pleaded guilty in the District Court of Cowley-Arkansas City to one felony count of attempted fraudulent insurance act and one felony count of making false information. 

After being involved in an accident, Dial submitted fraudulent documentation to her insurance company in order to obtain funds for medical care and lost wages that she had not actually received nor lost. 

She faces 10 months of prison time if her probation is violated. Dial also was fined $500.

“Insurance fraud costs all Kansans in the form of increased premiums every year,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “The Department will continue pursuing penalties against anyone committing insurance fraud in Kansas.”

The Kansas Department of Insurance investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725385843420.png" alt="Dial photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>Dial photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka, Kan. –&nbsp; a Kansas woman&nbsp; has been sentenced for insurance fraud in connection with an accident.&nbsp;Misty Jane Dial, 33, Arkansas City, was sentenced to 18 months of probation, according to&nbsp;Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt.On July 9, Dial pleaded guilty in the District Court of Cowley-Arkansas City to one felony count of attempted fraudulent insurance act and one felony count of making false information. After being involved in an accident, Dial submitted fraudulent documentation to her insurance company in order to obtain funds for medical care and lost wages that she had not actually received nor lost. She faces 10 months of prison time if her probation is violated. Dial also was fined $500.“Insurance fraud costs all Kansans in the form of increased premiums every year,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “The Department will continue pursuing penalties against anyone committing insurance fraud in Kansas.”The Kansas Department of Insurance investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

 Kan. woman lied to her insurance company after an accident

The Justice Department Wednesday announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns colloquially referred to as “Doppelganger,” in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws, according to the United State's Department of Justice.

 As alleged in an unsealed affidavit, the Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration, and in particular First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, used these domains, among others, to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/doppelganger_affidavit_9.4.24.pdf">Click here to read the</a> affidavit

In conjunction with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2559" target="_blank">designation&nbsp;</a>of 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This announcement follows the designation of actors involved in Doppelganger&nbsp;<a href="https://vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fhome.treasury.gov%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2Fjy2195%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000191be104440-359d8f36-c9ed-4091-98ab-d28ec7dc8a9b-000000/TTf56XNwl_FEn5At6qVT5zUK1KI=390" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;by the Treasury Department in March.

“The Justice Department is seizing 32 internet domains that the Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors have used to engage in a covert campaign to interfere in and influence the outcome of our country’s elections,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As alleged in our court filings, President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, including Sergei Kiriyenko, directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation and state-sponsored narratives as part of a campaign to influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. 

An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that a goal of the campaign is to secure Russia’s preferred outcome in the election. The sites we are seizing today were filled with Russian government propaganda that had been created by the Kremlin to reduce international support for Ukraine, bolster pro-Russian policies and interests, and influence voters in the United States and other countries. Our actions today make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by the Russian government, or any other malign actor, to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy.”

“The Department’s seizure of 32 internet domains secretly deployed to spread foreign malign influence demonstrates once again that Russia remains a predominant foreign threat to our elections,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “At Putin’s direction, Russian companies SDA, Structura, and ANO Dialog used cybersquatting, fabricated influencers, and fake profiles to covertly promote AI-generated false narratives on social media. 

Those narratives targeted specific American demographics and regions in a calculated effort to subvert our election. Our republic depends on elections that are free from foreign interference, and we will not rest in our efforts to expose foreign malign influence operations and protect our democracy, without fear or favor.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725475035602.png" alt="The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations.-image U.S. Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations.-image U.S. Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>The Justice Department Wednesday announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns colloquially referred to as “Doppelganger,” in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws, according to the United State's Department of Justice.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Attorney General Merrick Garland details two law enforcement actions to crack down on a Russian influence campaign intended to spread propaganda and sway U.S. elections. <a href="https://t.co/IsvStfYlgK">pic.twitter.com/IsvStfYlgK</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1831437967283437581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> As alleged in an unsealed affidavit, the Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration, and in particular First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, used these domains, among others, to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/doppelganger_affidavit_9.4.24.pdf">Click here to read the</a> affidavitIn conjunction with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2559" target="_blank">designation&nbsp;</a>of 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This announcement follows the designation of actors involved in Doppelganger&nbsp;<a href="https://vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fhome.treasury.gov%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2Fjy2195%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000191be104440-359d8f36-c9ed-4091-98ab-d28ec7dc8a9b-000000/TTf56XNwl_FEn5At6qVT5zUK1KI=390" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;by the Treasury Department in March.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725475113269.png" alt="The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations -image U.S. Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations -image U.S. Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>“The Justice Department is seizing 32 internet domains that the Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors have used to engage in a covert campaign to interfere in and influence the outcome of our country’s elections,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As alleged in our court filings, President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, including Sergei Kiriyenko, directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation and state-sponsored narratives as part of a campaign to influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that a goal of the campaign is to secure Russia’s preferred outcome in the election. The sites we are seizing today were filled with Russian government propaganda that had been created by the Kremlin to reduce international support for Ukraine, bolster pro-Russian policies and interests, and influence voters in the United States and other countries. Our actions today make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by the Russian government, or any other malign actor, to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy.”“The Department’s seizure of 32 internet domains secretly deployed to spread foreign malign influence demonstrates once again that Russia remains a predominant foreign threat to our elections,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “At Putin’s direction, Russian companies SDA, Structura, and ANO Dialog used cybersquatting, fabricated influencers, and fake profiles to covertly promote AI-generated false narratives on social media. Those narratives targeted specific American demographics and regions in a calculated effort to subvert our election. Our republic depends on elections that are free from foreign interference, and we will not rest in our efforts to expose foreign malign influence operations and protect our democracy, without fear or favor.”“Today’s announcement exposes the scope of the Russian government’s influence operations and their reliance on cutting-edge AI to sow disinformation,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Companies operating at the direction of the Russian government created websites to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda.&nbsp; By seizing these websites, the FBI is making clear to the world what they are, Russian attempts to interfere in our elections and influence our society.&nbsp; The FBI will continue to work with our partners to expose and shutdown these covert influence campaigns.”“This seizure illustrates vividly what the U.S. government and private sector partners have warned for months: the Russian government and its proxies are aggressively accelerating the Kremlin’s covert efforts to seed false stories and amplify disinformation directed at the American public,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s announcement reveals Russia is willing to impersonate our free and open press in its egregious schemes.""This is our third disruption of Russian foreign malign influence operations in two months, and the Justice Department remains relentless in protecting Americans from such unacceptable conduct. To Russia, and any other government seeking to stoke discord in our society: know that we will spare no effort and use every available tool to disrupt and expose this malign activity and defend our democratic institutions.”“Protecting our democratic processes from foreign malign influence is paramount to ensure enduring public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “As America’s adversaries continue to spew propaganda and disinformation towards the American electorate, we’ll use every tool at our disposal to expose and dismantle their insidious foreign influence campaigns.”The propaganda did not identify, and in fact purposefully obfuscated, the Russian government or its agents as the source of the content. The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g.,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibit_1_washingtonpost.pm__1.pdf">registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com</a>), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations. In other instances, the perpetrators sought to create their own unique media brands to promote Doppelganger content (e.g., Recent Reliable News). Among the methods Doppelganger used to drive viewership to the cybersquatted and unique media domains was the deployment of “influencers” worldwide, paid social media advertisements (in some cases created using artificial intelligence tools), and the creation of social media profiles posing as U.S. (or other non-Russian) citizens to post comments on social media platforms with links to the cybersquatted domains, all of which attempted to trick viewers into believing they were being directed to a legitimate news media outlet’s website.OverviewThe affidavit describes the perpetrators’ own internal strategy meeting notes, project proposals, and other records obtained during the course of the investigation. Several notable propaganda project proposals directed against the United States included:<ul>
 <li>Good Old USA Project: Attachments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibits_8a_and_8b.pdf">8A, 8B</a></li><li>The Guerilla Media Campaign: Attachments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibits_9a_and_9b.pdf">9A, 9B</a></li><li>U.S. Social Media Influencers Network Project: Attachments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibits_10a_and_10b.pdf">10A, 10B</a></li>
 </ul>Doppelganger’s foreign malign influence efforts were not directed solely against audiences in the United States. Other targets of the perpetrators’ propaganda included Germany, Mexico, and Israel, among others. Doppelganger’s influence campaigns sought to influence the citizenry of those countries to support Russian government objectives, including by undermining the United States’ relationship with those countries.Doppelganger’s use of the U.S.-based domain names at the direction and control of, and for the benefit of, sanctioned persons, including Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, SDA, and Structura, violates the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). As a result, the accompanying payments for Doppelganger’s online infrastructure violate federal money laundering laws. In addition, Doppelganger’s publication of content on cybersquatted domains with names and content that mimic legitimate media outlets violates federal criminal trademark laws because those domains feature trademarks registered on the Principal Register maintained by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.The FBI Philadelphia Field Office is investigating the case.The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.