U.S. Department of Justice
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Carlos Byron, 59, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 30, 2015 in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Kansas City (Kansas) Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask is prosecuting.
Byron is innocent until proven guilty.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
KCK woman sentenced to prison, restitution for home health care fraud
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- A Kansas City, Kan., woman working as a personal care attendant was sentenced in U.S. District Court last week for health care fraud based on fraudulent bills she submitted to Medicaid, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced.
Doris Betts, 55, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., by Judge Eric F. Melgren to 18 months in federal prison, three years supervised release, restitution to the Kansas Medicaid program in the amount of $251,573.32, and a forfeiture judgment in the same amount. Betts was charged in April 2014 with six counts of health care fraud.
Doris Betts, 55, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., by Judge Eric F. Melgren to 18 months in federal prison, three years supervised release, restitution to the Kansas Medicaid program in the amount of $251,573.32, and a forfeiture judgment in the same amount. Betts was charged in April 2014 with six counts of health care fraud.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Darrell Broxton found guilty in Peter Melmont case
Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- A Wyandotte County jury returned verdicts today in the murder trial of Darrell Broxton.
Broxton was accused by the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office of first degree murder, burglary and two counts of theft.
The jury found Broxton guilty of intentional second degree murder and the remaining counts as charged. The jury began its deliberations late Monday afternoon. The trial lasted seven days.
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- A Wyandotte County jury returned verdicts today in the murder trial of Darrell Broxton.
Broxton was accused by the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office of first degree murder, burglary and two counts of theft.
The jury found Broxton guilty of intentional second degree murder and the remaining counts as charged. The jury began its deliberations late Monday afternoon. The trial lasted seven days.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
KCK home health provider convicted on Medicaid fraud charges
By KHI NEWS SERVICE
KHI News Service
KANSAS CITY, KAN. — A Kansas City, Kan., home health attendant has been convicted in a federal case based on fraudulent Medicaid billing practices.
Doris Betts, 55, pleaded guilty to health care fraud in U.S. District Court. Her conviction was announced Tuesday by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, whose office is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General to investigate home health care fraud in Kansas.
Betts' conviction is the first from the joint operation, dubbed “Operation No Show,” which focuses on abuse of Medicaid’s home- and community-based services program that pays personal care attendants to assist qualifying Medicaid recipients with general household activities and personal care.
The Attorney General's Office and HHS agreed to recommend a sentence of 18 months in prison for Betts, followed by three years of supervised release and $251,573.32 restitution to the Kansas Medicaid program. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2015.
KHI News Service
KANSAS CITY, KAN. — A Kansas City, Kan., home health attendant has been convicted in a federal case based on fraudulent Medicaid billing practices.
Doris Betts, 55, pleaded guilty to health care fraud in U.S. District Court. Her conviction was announced Tuesday by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, whose office is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General to investigate home health care fraud in Kansas.
Betts' conviction is the first from the joint operation, dubbed “Operation No Show,” which focuses on abuse of Medicaid’s home- and community-based services program that pays personal care attendants to assist qualifying Medicaid recipients with general household activities and personal care.
The Attorney General's Office and HHS agreed to recommend a sentence of 18 months in prison for Betts, followed by three years of supervised release and $251,573.32 restitution to the Kansas Medicaid program. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2015.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Missouri Tax Preparer Sentenced On Federal Tax Fraud Charges
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A Missouri tax preparer was sentenced Monday to 51 months in federal prison for preparing false income tax returns resulting in a total tax loss of more than $316,000, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Cynthia M. Raymond, Jackson, Mo., pleaded guilty to five counts of filing false tax returns and one count of aggravated identity theft. In her plea, she admitted submitting approximately 98 false tax returns under the names of 36 clients for the tax years 2007 through 2010.
Her clients were not aware that she prepared returns including false deductions for business losses, charitable contributions, unreimbursed business expenses, medical expenses and false tax credits including education and residential energy credits.
She filed the returns electronically and provided her clients with different tax returns than she filed with the IRS. She routinely directed the Internal Revenue Service to deposit part of the refund to her clients’ accounts and to deposit the rest of the refund into her personal account.
Grissom commended IRS-Criminal Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.
Cynthia M. Raymond, Jackson, Mo., pleaded guilty to five counts of filing false tax returns and one count of aggravated identity theft. In her plea, she admitted submitting approximately 98 false tax returns under the names of 36 clients for the tax years 2007 through 2010.
Her clients were not aware that she prepared returns including false deductions for business losses, charitable contributions, unreimbursed business expenses, medical expenses and false tax credits including education and residential energy credits.
She filed the returns electronically and provided her clients with different tax returns than she filed with the IRS. She routinely directed the Internal Revenue Service to deposit part of the refund to her clients’ accounts and to deposit the rest of the refund into her personal account.
Grissom commended IRS-Criminal Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Texas Woman Pleads Guilty In Federal Adoption Fraud Case in Kansas
U.S. Department of Justice
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Texas woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to defrauding four families that wanted to adopt children, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom
Chrystal Marie Rippey, 34, Marshall, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. In her plea, she admitted she devised a scheme in which she pretended to be pregnant. She contacted adoption agencies and individuals who wanted to adopt and said she was willing to give up her unborn children for adoption. She asked adoption agencies and individuals for money for rent, utilities, food and living expenses.
Couple No. 1: A Delaware couple moved Rippey into their home for a month. They took her on a two-week vacation on the beach and paid for her living expenses, new clothes, cell phone and food. She gave them a sonogram that she claimed showed her pregnancy with twins. In fact, she got the image from the Internet. Then she broke off contact with them.
Couple No. 2: A couple from Shawnee, Kan., put more than $22,000 in an escrow account to pay for Rippey’s living expenses. She told them false stories about her troubles with Child Protective Services and a fire that burned down the home of the birth father in order to get the couple to give her more money. Then she broke off contact with them.
Couple 3: Working with an adoption agency in Overland Park, Kan., Rippey contacted another couple that began providing support for her. They were shocked when they went to California to meet her and saw that she didn’t look pregnant.
Couple 4: Another couple ran up expenses for fees to an adoption agency in Texas as well as travel expenses in hopes of adopting twins from Rippey. Rippey claimed she had a son in the hospital and that she had not eaten in days in order to get money from the couple. But the couple refused her request because the adoption agency told them not to give her any money until she completed adoption paperwork.
Sentencing will be set for a later date. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 31 months followed by three years supervised release.
Grissom commended the Overland Park Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Texas woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to defrauding four families that wanted to adopt children, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom
Chrystal Marie Rippey, 34, Marshall, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. In her plea, she admitted she devised a scheme in which she pretended to be pregnant. She contacted adoption agencies and individuals who wanted to adopt and said she was willing to give up her unborn children for adoption. She asked adoption agencies and individuals for money for rent, utilities, food and living expenses.
Couple No. 1: A Delaware couple moved Rippey into their home for a month. They took her on a two-week vacation on the beach and paid for her living expenses, new clothes, cell phone and food. She gave them a sonogram that she claimed showed her pregnancy with twins. In fact, she got the image from the Internet. Then she broke off contact with them.
Couple No. 2: A couple from Shawnee, Kan., put more than $22,000 in an escrow account to pay for Rippey’s living expenses. She told them false stories about her troubles with Child Protective Services and a fire that burned down the home of the birth father in order to get the couple to give her more money. Then she broke off contact with them.
Couple 3: Working with an adoption agency in Overland Park, Kan., Rippey contacted another couple that began providing support for her. They were shocked when they went to California to meet her and saw that she didn’t look pregnant.
Couple 4: Another couple ran up expenses for fees to an adoption agency in Texas as well as travel expenses in hopes of adopting twins from Rippey. Rippey claimed she had a son in the hospital and that she had not eaten in days in order to get money from the couple. But the couple refused her request because the adoption agency told them not to give her any money until she completed adoption paperwork.
Sentencing will be set for a later date. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 31 months followed by three years supervised release.
Grissom commended the Overland Park Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
KC area business owner indicted on federal bank fraud charges
U.S. Department of Justice
KANSAS CITY, KAN. -- A Kansas City area business owner has been indicted on federal bank fraud charges, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Brenda Wood, 45, Leavenworth, Kan., was indicted Wednesday on five counts of bank fraud, one count of theft from an employee benefit program, and four counts of willful violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
The indictment alleges the crimes took place while Wood owned several businesses including one in Kansas City, Mo. -- Professional Cleaning and Innovative Building Services, Inc. (PCI) -- and three in Bonner Springs, Kan. -- Action Real Estate Services, LLC; G&W Investments, LLC, and Riverview Crossings, LLC.
The indictment alleges Wood obtained loans for herself and her companies through Farmers Bank in Overland Park, Kan., by making false representations and submitting falsified documents to the bank.
Among the allegations in the indictment are these:
Farmer’s Bank received $12 million from the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program. In November 2012, the bank paid the U.S. Treasury approximately $11.4 million to redeem the funding, resulting in a shortfall of more than $500,000.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each of the bank fraud charges, a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of theft from an employee benefit program, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of violating ERISA.
The Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, the Special Investigator General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
KANSAS CITY, KAN. -- A Kansas City area business owner has been indicted on federal bank fraud charges, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Brenda Wood, 45, Leavenworth, Kan., was indicted Wednesday on five counts of bank fraud, one count of theft from an employee benefit program, and four counts of willful violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
The indictment alleges the crimes took place while Wood owned several businesses including one in Kansas City, Mo. -- Professional Cleaning and Innovative Building Services, Inc. (PCI) -- and three in Bonner Springs, Kan. -- Action Real Estate Services, LLC; G&W Investments, LLC, and Riverview Crossings, LLC.
The indictment alleges Wood obtained loans for herself and her companies through Farmers Bank in Overland Park, Kan., by making false representations and submitting falsified documents to the bank.
Among the allegations in the indictment are these:
- Wood obtained a loan on behalf of Riverview Crossings to purchase property in Bonner Springs in part by forging the signature of a second mortgage holder releasing the deed.
- Wood submitted falsified invoices totaling more than $100,000 to support fraudulent draws on the Riverview Crossings loan.
- Wood obtained a loan on behalf of PCI to buy property in Basehor, Kan., in which she fraudulently inflated the purchase price to make it appear the loan met the bank’s loan-to-value ratio requirements.
- Wood obtained a $350,000 line of credit in part by fraudulently representing to the lender that her company, PCI, was awarded a contract to provide cleaning services at an Internal Revenue Service building in Kansas City, MO. In fact, her company was not even a finalist for the contract.
- Wood diverted more than $200,000 from an escrow account for PCI to her personal account.
- Wood set up a 401(k) plan for PCI and embezzled more than $30,000 from the plan.
- Wood failed to file annual financial reports for the PCI 401(k) plan.
Farmer’s Bank received $12 million from the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program. In November 2012, the bank paid the U.S. Treasury approximately $11.4 million to redeem the funding, resulting in a shortfall of more than $500,000.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each of the bank fraud charges, a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of theft from an employee benefit program, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of violating ERISA.
The Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, the Special Investigator General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
KCK police arrest one after standoff
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- One person was arrested early Thursday morning following a standoff with Kansas City, Kan., police.
The standoff occurred at a home on S. 49th Terrace and Oak Grove Road.
According to KMBC Channel 9 news, the man is wanted as a person of interest from a homicide case. Police set up a perimeter at the home.
The man left the home shortly after the standoff began.
No one was injured and he was taken into custody.
The standoff occurred at a home on S. 49th Terrace and Oak Grove Road.
According to KMBC Channel 9 news, the man is wanted as a person of interest from a homicide case. Police set up a perimeter at the home.
The man left the home shortly after the standoff began.
No one was injured and he was taken into custody.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Man charged with intent to deal methamphetamine in KCK
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Angel Guzman-Aviles, 26, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 3, 2014, in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.
He is innocent until proven guilty.
The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 3, 2014, in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.
He is innocent until proven guilty.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
PHOTO: Police looking to question two people after City Hall shooting
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Following today's murder near City Hall, the Kansas City Kansas Police Department is looking for these two people pictured below.
They are wanted for questioning, but it's unknown if they are officially considered suspects.
If you know who they are or where they are, call the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
KCK man pleads guilty to robbery, carjacking, firearms charges
U.S. Department of Justice
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A Kansas City, Kan., man has pleaded guilty to federal charges arising from an armed robbery and a carjacking, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Derrick L. Freeman, 28, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery, one count of carjacking, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.
In his plea, Freeman admitted that on May 12, 2013, he and his co-defendants went to the home of a Kansas City, Kan., man to buy some synthetic marijuana. Once there, they robbed the man at gunpoint. During the robbery, Freeman fired a handgun and then fled the scene before police arrived.
On May 26, 2013, Freeman and co-defendants walked to a Stop Shop gas station at 6865 State Avenue in Kansas City, Kan., where Freeman suggested they “get a car.”
They robbed the driver of a 2004 Ford Freestar minivan of wallet and keys and drove away in the minivan. When the defendants realized officers had spotted their vehicle they led police on a 17-minute chase at speeds up to 112 miles per hour.
The minivan wrecked in a plowed field near Leavenworth Road and North 184th Street in Basehor, Kan., where the defendants fled on foot. Derrick Freeman fired a handgun at a law enforcement officer before being arrested.
Freeman will be sentenced at a later date. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 300 months in federal prison.
Co-defendants include:
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A Kansas City, Kan., man has pleaded guilty to federal charges arising from an armed robbery and a carjacking, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Derrick L. Freeman, 28, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery, one count of carjacking, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.
In his plea, Freeman admitted that on May 12, 2013, he and his co-defendants went to the home of a Kansas City, Kan., man to buy some synthetic marijuana. Once there, they robbed the man at gunpoint. During the robbery, Freeman fired a handgun and then fled the scene before police arrived.
On May 26, 2013, Freeman and co-defendants walked to a Stop Shop gas station at 6865 State Avenue in Kansas City, Kan., where Freeman suggested they “get a car.”
They robbed the driver of a 2004 Ford Freestar minivan of wallet and keys and drove away in the minivan. When the defendants realized officers had spotted their vehicle they led police on a 17-minute chase at speeds up to 112 miles per hour.
The minivan wrecked in a plowed field near Leavenworth Road and North 184th Street in Basehor, Kan., where the defendants fled on foot. Derrick Freeman fired a handgun at a law enforcement officer before being arrested.
Freeman will be sentenced at a later date. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 300 months in federal prison.
Co-defendants include:
- Joe Freeman, 33, Kansas City, Kan., who is awaiting trial.
- Jeffrey B. Jackson, 47, Leavenworth, Kan., who is awaiting trial.
- Terry D. Tillman, 26, Kansas City, Kan., who is set for sentencing Nov. 12.
- Anthony L. Irvin, 19, Kansas City, Kan., who is set for sentencing Nov. 25.
- Melvin L. Shields, 20, Kansas City, Kan., who is set for sentencing Nov. 25.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
23-year-old mom charged with attempted murder of two children
By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com
A 23-year-old Kansas City, Kan., woman has been charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder after allegedly trying to drown her children in a bath-tub earlier this week.
Johnna Green is in custody of the Wyandotte County Jail as of today. She faces two counts after allegedly trying to drown a one-year-old girl (known as "J.G.") and a four-year-old girl, who Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome Gorman labeled as "J.T."
Gorman said the two girls are currently in critical condition at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
"She held JT under water until she was not responsive," Gorman said.
Authorities reported to a home on 2925 S. 52nd Street on April 2 and discovered the two children. Gorman said the Kansas City, Kan., firefighters and officers provided immediate assistance to the children.
"There wasn't a great deal of time," Gorman said. "Both children were attended to very early after it happened."
Gorman said a 911 call was made from the home. However, he did not reveal who the call was from.
Both Gorman and Kansas City, Kan., Police Department Chief Rick Armstrong said the case is unique in nature.
"In my 31 years, I don't recall having a case like this," Gorman said. "There's been cases of national prominence, but I can't think of one that I've handled quite like this."
Right now, the state has custody of the two children. A hearing is expected Friday to determine the long-term custody of J.T. and J.G., who's real names were not given out during the press conference for privacy and legal reasons.
This is the first time Green has been charged with a crime of any kind, according to Gorman.
Green is also expected to have her first hearing Friday. She is innocent until proven guilty.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Burks receives four life sentences
Release from the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office:
Adrian Burks, Black male, DOB: 10-05-71, was sentenced this morning in Wyandotte County District Court to four life sentences in connection with the June 22, 2009, quadruple homicide which occurred in the 5200 block of Muncie Drive in Kansas City, Kansas.
Burks pleaded guilty to four counts of first degree murder on August 27, 2012, in connection with the shooting deaths of Peggy, Castleberry, her three-year old daughter Denea (Juanita) Castleberry, James Warren, and Amanda Remmer.
Wyandotte County District Judge Michael Grosko imposed a life sentence with no chance of parole for 50 years on Burks for each of the murders, and ordered that the sentences run consecutively, making him ineligible for parole for 200 years.
Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome A. Gorman, aided by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Myers prosecuted the case for the State of Kansas.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Indictment claims Overland Park hotel owners knew they were hiring undocumented workers
U.S. Department of Justice
The owners of an Overland Park, Kan., hotel have been indicted on charges of knowingly hiring undocumented aliens who were paid less than other employees, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Munir Ahmad Chaudary, 51, and his wife, Rhonda R. Bridge, 40, both of Overland Park, are charged with the following crimes:
“The grand jury’s indictment alleges these defendants knew they were hiring undocumented workers,” Grissom said. “They paid the undocumented workers less and they paid them in cash. Their economic motive was to cut their costs and to get an advantage on other hotels that abided by the law.”
The owners of an Overland Park, Kan., hotel have been indicted on charges of knowingly hiring undocumented aliens who were paid less than other employees, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Munir Ahmad Chaudary, 51, and his wife, Rhonda R. Bridge, 40, both of Overland Park, are charged with the following crimes:
- One count of conspiracy to harbor undocumented aliens for personal gain.
- Five counts of harboring undocumented aliens for personal gain.
- Four counts of wire fraud.
“The grand jury’s indictment alleges these defendants knew they were hiring undocumented workers,” Grissom said. “They paid the undocumented workers less and they paid them in cash. Their economic motive was to cut their costs and to get an advantage on other hotels that abided by the law.”
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Man charged with first degree murder
By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
Timothy Warren Webb has been charged with first degree murder in connection to the May 30 shooting death of Sharon Nero.
Nero was found dead by police on May 30 inside her home.
Webb, 44, is currently at large.
He was also charged with criminal possession of a firearm.
Webb's vehicle is described as a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic with a Missouri license plate UG1-P3W.
If you have any information about his location, contact the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department at (913) 573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.
He's presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Timothy Warren Webb has been charged with first degree murder in connection to the May 30 shooting death of Sharon Nero.
Webb, 44, is currently at large.
He was also charged with criminal possession of a firearm.
Webb's vehicle is described as a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic with a Missouri license plate UG1-P3W.
If you have any information about his location, contact the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department at (913) 573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.
He's presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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