Press Release

Licking, Mo. Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation, Meth Trafficking and Firearms Charges

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Licking, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday for the sexual exploitation of a minor as well as illegally possessing methamphetamine and firearms.

John P. Weaver, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Megan Blair Benton to using a minor victim to produce child pornography and receiving and distributing child pornography from Jan. 22 to Feb. 5, 2024. Weaver admitted to possessing more than 20 photos and videos depicting child pornography of the minor victim.

Weaver also pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms on Feb. 29, 2024. Weaver admitted to possessing over 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and two Hi-Point pistols.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Weaver has two prior convictions for possessing a controlled substance as well as prior felony convictions for stealing a motor vehicle, burglary, stealing, and resisting arrest by creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person.

Under federal statutes, Weaver is subject to a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years maximum in federal prison without parole for his conviction for sexual exploitation of children. He is also facing a minimum of 10 years on his conviction for possession with intent to distribute and a minimum of five years for his conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, which must run consecutively to any other sentence. 

The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pulaski County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office, the Springfield, Missouri Police Department, and the Texas County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

 Press Release

Springfield Man Sentenced to Over 20 Years for Meth and Firearms

Friday, September 11, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court yesterday for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Roy Dewayne Reed, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Megan Blair Benton, to 262 months in federal prison without parole, followed by four years’ supervised release. 

On Sept. 10, 2025, an officer with the Springfield Police Department (SPD) conducted a traffic stop on a silver Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Reed at a gas station on East Division Street. As an officer attempted to contact Reed, he reversed his vehicle toward the officer and fled into midday traffic at a high rate of speed, driving in the median, and taking Interstate 44 briefly. Officers pursued Reed but ultimately abandoned the pursuit in the interest of public safety.

Less than an hour later, officers with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office located Reed’s truck at a residence on East Division. Officers located two loaded handguns and six plastic baggies of methamphetamine with a combined weight of approximately 111.84 grams inside two crossbody bags located in the back of the truck. Surveillance footage from the residence showed Reed throwing both bags, one at a time, into the back of the truck.

Reed is a career offender, with eleven previous felony convictions, including multiple assaults, manufacture and distribution of drugs, unlawful possession of firearms, resisting arrest, and motor vehicle theft. At the time that he committed the federal offenses, he was on probation for delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, and tampering with a motor vehicle. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greene County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office, and the Springfield, Missouri Police Department.

Project Safe Neighborhoods

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 Press Release

Two Men Indicted for Robbery of Isle of Capri Casino

Thursday, September 3, 2026

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their role in a robbery at a casino in Boonville, Mo. earlier this year. 

Benjamin Michael-Dass Charles, of Columbia, Mo., and Hollis Cortez Vanleer of Normal, Ill., were charged with various counts relating to the robbery of the Isle of Capri Casino, including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and a substantive charge of interfering with commerce by robbery. Additionally, both Charles and Vanleer are charged with brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Vanleer is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to court documents, on March 25, 2026, Charles and Vanleer are alleged to have driven to, parked, and entered the Isle of Capri Casino dressed in black and wearing hats, glasses, and face coverings. One defendant was carrying an AR style rifle, and the other was carrying a 9mm pistol as they made their way through the casino to the main bank area where money was kept. Both took money out of a cash drawer, placed it into a duffel bag, then jumped back over the front counter, ran through the casino, out the front door, and then jumped in their car and drove away. The total amount taken in the robbery was $1,275,999. 

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Boonville, Missouri Police Department, Cooper County Sheriff’s Department, and Howard County Sheriff’s Department.

 Press Release

Indian National Pleads Guilty to Role in Illegal Gambling Ring

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Group Operated Six Locations in Southwest Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Indian national pleaded guilty in federal court for his involvement in a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling conspiracy occurring at six locations in southwest Missouri.

Sunilkumar N. Patel, 53, a resident of the state of New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. 

Patel admitted that he and his co-conspirators, in aggregate, obtained approximately $9,362,114 in gross proceeds from their wire fraud scheme and their illegal gambling businesses and then conducted various financial transactions for the purpose of laundering the proceeds.

On May 14, 2025, Patel was charged, along with eight other individuals, in a 72-count superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. The indictment charges all nine defendants with one count each of participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and operating illegal gambling businesses from July 1, 2022, to May 13, 2025. In addition to the conspiracy counts, all nine defendants were charged with at least one count of wire fraud, and eight defendants were charged with money laundering. 

Through Patel’s guilty plea, he admitted that he and his co-conspirators ran illegal gambling businesses under the guise of internet amusement arcade games, skill game arcades, and adult arcades. Patel and his co-conspirators hired local employees to work in their businesses, which operated contests of chance, gambling devices, and slot machines in violation of Missouri and Federal law. There were four locations that operated in Springfield.: Big Win Arcade #1 at 1928 S. Glenstone Ave., Big Win Arcade #2 at 1135 E. Commercial St., Spin Hitters at 838-840 S. Glenstone Ave., and Vegas Arcade at 615 S. Scenic. They also opened Spin Zone at 2331 E. 7th St. in Joplin, Mo., and Vegas City Arcade at 16585 Missouri Highway 13, Branson West. 

Under federal statutes, Patel is subject to a sentence of up to 20, 20, five, 20, and 20 years in federal prison without parole, respectively, for each count to which he pleaded guilty. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Springfield, Missouri Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Joplin, Missouri Police Department, the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, the Missouri National Guard Counter Drug Unit, the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, the Greene County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney, the Jasper County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney, and the Johnson County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 

 Press Release

Butler, Missouri Bank Vice President and Former Pastor Pleads Guilty to Financial Fraud Involving an Alleged Cattle-Buying Scheme

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Butler, Mo., man has pleaded guilty to fraud charges.

Craig Johnson, 45, of Butler, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr. to multiple federal charges. This plea is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. 

According to information presented in court, Johnson was hired at Community First Bank in 2022 as a Vice President and Loan Officer. While Johnson was employed with Community First Bank, Johnson was also a pastor with a church in El Dorado Springs, Mo. until he was removed in 2025.

Beginning in at least 2024, Johnson began to request “investments” from various individuals for the purpose of buying cattle which would be later sold for profit. The deal varied from person to person but involved Johnson purchasing cattle and selling the cattle for a profit within a short time frame. Johnson told individuals he needed help investing and requested they pay him funds. Johnson worked with some of the “investors” to take out a loan at Community First Bank through Johnson and give the proceeds to Johnson. Johnson did not tell anyone at Community First Bank that he was benefiting from the loan proceeds. 

Johnson did not use the funds to purchase cattle but instead deposited the funds in an investment account where he repeatedly traded in small-capitalization and micro-cap securities ultimately losing all the funds. Johnson served as loan officer for approximately 29 loans and lines of credit at Community First Bank totaling approximately $4,476,156.22.

After receiving the victims’ funds, Johnson did not use the funds for proposed cattle sales. Instead, he used the victims’ funds to invest in high-risk stocks via his personal investment account. To further and conceal his scheme, Johnson used some of the victim’s funds to pay earlier investors in the scheme.

At various times between April 2024 and until Johnson’s termination in February 2026, Johnson used his position as a loan officer and/or his status in the community to defraud individuals and a financial institution of at least $9,395,882.22. Johnson used his position at Community First Bank to obtain loans using the identity of other people. In February 2026, at least three loans were created in various individuals’ names where they were not aware of or approved by these people. The three loans were created to pay off other loans Johnson created in the name of another person.

On Aug. 5, 2024, Johnson completed an application for a loan for $1,447,000 through a financial institution in Jefferson City, Mo. The purpose of the loan was to purchase cow and calf pairs and refinance two loans. On Aug. 13, 2024, the loan was approved for $1,447,150. Of the loan proceeds, $46,809.93 was used to pay off a loan at a bank.  $198,714.46 was used to pay off another loan at a bank and $1,201,475.61 was provided in a check to Johnson and was supposed to be used to purchase 400 head of cattle. 

On Aug. 14, 2024, the loan proceeds ($1,201,475.61) were deposited into a bank account. After the funds were deposited, there was not a large purchase of cattle as agreed upon in the loan. The funds instead were used to repay investors and for personal use.

On Aug. 7, 2025, Johnson completed an application for another loan for $1,500,000 through another financial institution. The purpose of the loan was to purchase 550 cow and calf pairs. On Aug. 13, 2025, the loan proceeds ($1,500,000) were deposited into Johnson’s account. Between Aug. 15, 2025, and Aug. 19, 2025, Johnson transferred $1,450,000 into his investment account.

On Aug. 19, 2025, Johnson completed an application for a third loan for $900,000. The purpose of the of the loan was to purchase 300 cow and calf pairs. The loan was approved for $900,150. The loan proceeds ($900,000) were deposited into Johnson’s bank account. Johnson transferred $900,000 into his personal investment account. 

After receiving the loan proceeds for the second and third loans, Johnson provided a bill of sale dated Aug. 30, 2025, to a financial institution. The bill of sale appeared to show that Johnson purchased 850 cow and calf pairs for $2,825,000 from a livestock company in Evanston, Utah. The company did not sell 850 cow and calf pairs to Johnson in August 2025. The owner of the company stated the name on the bill of sale appeared to be his, but the signature was not.

Johnson did not use the combined funds from the three loans ($3,601,475.61) to purchase cattle as stated on the loan documentation but instead transferred the funds to his personal  investment account and to make payments to previous victims who believed Johnson made good on their cattle deals.

Under federal statutes, Johnson is subject to the following sentences:

• Wire Fraud - up to 20 years in federal prison without parole
• Bank Fraud - up to 30 years in federal prison without parole
• Aggravated Identity Theft – a mandatory sentence of two years in federal prison consecutive to any other sentence
• False Statement to a Financial Institution - up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.

The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker.  It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

National Fraud Enforcement Division

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

 Press Release

Venezuelans convicted of jackpotting a Kansas ATM face deportation

Thursday, September 3, 2026

TOPEKA, KAN – Two Venezuelan nationals face possible deportation after completing prison sentences for stealing thousands of dollars from an automated teller machine (ATM) through jackpotting. Jackpotting involves installing malware into an ATM to force it to dispense money.

According to court documents, Luinder Daniel Cordova-Castellano, 20, and Jheison Alexander Lara-Sira, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of bank larceny. 

Each defendant was sentenced to time served, but as part of their plea agreements, they waived their ability to contest should an immigration judge issue a final order of removal in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act.

In December 2025, Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about suspicious activity at a bank in Manhattan. After driving up to an ATM, a witness reported seeing a man run away from the ATM then flee in a dark colored Toyota Prius. Deputies spotted the vehicle and followed it to a business where they approached the occupants, Cordova-Castellano and Lara-Sira. 

The smell of marijuana gave deputies probable cause search of the vehicle. Inside of a backpack, law enforcement found approximately $15,000 in cash. Deputies located a laptop, keyboard, cables, tools, and a wireless hotspot in the vehicle.

While executing a search warrant on Cordova-Castellano’s cellphone, law enforcement found chat conversations in Spanish about ATMs and photos of ATMs. 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division doesn’t directly take part in deportation hearings. However, when we are prosecuting non-citizens for federal criminal offenses, we are cognizant of when their conduct merits prompt removal from our country, saving the taxpayer the cost of incarceration,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “By offering plea agreements that include restrictions on appealing removal orders, we are helping to expedite the process of extracting convicted felons from within our borders and minimizing the expense of their prison stay.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag prosecuted the case. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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 Press Release

Eight Charged in Boone County Cyber Crime Investigation Involving Minors and Sex Trafficking

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Cases Include a Former Missouri General Counsel, Local Attorney, and University of Missouri Graduate Assistant

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri announced eight prosecutions arising from a proactive investigation by the Boone County Cyber Crimes Taskforce. 

During the week of June 22, 2026, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office conducted a proactive undercover operation seeking out potential online child sexual predators. Undercover law enforcement posed as a minor female on an online platform advertising “escort” services.  Each of the individuals below traveled to an agreed upon location to engage in sexual activity with a minor. 

Daniel Walter Follett, 57, Columbia, Mo.-On Sept. 2, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the former general counsel for the Missouri Department of Revenue with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor.  On June 23, 2026, Follett allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley S. Turner.  It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. 

Rollie Howard Pogue, 30, Moberly, Mo.-On Sept. 2, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the prior sex offender with one count of attempted enticement of a minor, one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, and one count of committing a felony offense involving a minor while required to register as a sex offender. On June 23, 2026, Pogue allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. 

Jose Alfredo Jimenez-Hernandez, 54, Columbia, Mo.-On Sept. 1, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the illegal alien with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 23, 2026, Jimenez-Hernandez allegedly traveled to a gas station in Columbia to meet with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18. Jimenez-Hernandez intended to pay the individual for sex. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nick Komoroski. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. 

Rifat Hasan Apurba, 30, Columbia, Mo.-On Sept. 1, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the University of Missouri graduate assistant with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 22, 2026, Apurba traveled to a gas station to meet an individual he believed was under the age of 18. Apurba intended to pay the individual for sex. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Collins. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. 

Ethan Schmidt Deimeke, 28, Columbia, Mo.-On Sept. 1, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the local attorney with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 24, 2026, Deimeke allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nick Komoroski.  It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. 

Brice Leslie Morris, 35, Columbia, Mo- On Sept. 2, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Morris with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count attempted sex trafficking of a minor.  On June 24, 2026, Morris allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley S. Turner.  It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. 

John Binu, 25, Jefferson City, Mo.- On Sept. 1, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Binu with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 25, 2026, Binu allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with two individuals he believed to be under the age of 18.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States attorney Nick Komoroski. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. 

David Allen Burres, 32, Plattsburg, Mo. On Sept. 2, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Burres, an over the road trucker, with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of receipt of child pornography. On June 24, 2026, Burres allegedly met an individual he believed to be 14 years old on a chat application. This was during the same proactive investigation but involved a law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old female on a chat application. Burres attempted to entice the individual to engage in sexual activity. Burres traveled to a Walmart in Columbia to meet with the individual he believed to be 14 years old.  Burres intended for the minor child to ride with him in his truck and engage in sexual activity. After his arrest, law enforcement located Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on Burres’ cellular telephone. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley S. Turner.  It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the State Technical Assistance Team (STAT), and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). 

The charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

 Press Release

FBI investigation leads to five Venezuelan nationals pleading guilty to attempting to jackpot Kansas ATMs

Monday, August 31, 2026

U.S. Attorney Kriegshauser advises banks to take preventative measures against “Jackpotting”

TOPEKA, KAN – After a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation, five Venezuelan nationals admitted guilt in attempting to steal U.S. currency from automated teller machines (ATMs).

U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser is encouraging banks and other financial institutions to take a proactive approach to guard against a criminal activity known as “jackpotting”, which is becoming more prevalent. Jackpotting involves installing malware into an ATM to force it to dispense sizeable amounts of money.

According to an FBI report released in February 2026, crimes involving ATM jackpotting are increasing across the country. The FBI reports 1,900 incidents since 2020. In 2025 alone, there were over 700 incidents with more than $20 million in losses.

According to court documents, Luis Alberto Velasquez-Artigas, 27, Royder Adrian Figuera-Perez, 29, Javier Mejia, Jr, 27, Gabriel Alexjandro Corales-Garcia, 33, and Italo Lizandro Corrales-Carrillo, 26, all pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank larceny.

In December 2025, the defendants traveled from Indiana to Kansas to attempt to steal cash from ATMs in Wamego and Manhattan through jackpotting. Their plan was for one conspirator to physically install the malware into the ATMs then later for the group to remotely activate a command causing the ATMs to dispense cash that they would go collect. The conspirators were unsuccessful in installing the malware on the ATM in Wamego, but their attempts at installing the malware triggered the alarm causing law enforcement to respond, and the culprits didn’t return to the site. In Manhattan, the group was equally unsuccessful in getting the ATM to dispense money. Both attempted thefts were captured by surveillance cameras, and the perpetrators were arrested a few days later.

“Jackpotting bandits are sweeping the nation. This particular group’s strategy was to specifically target ATMs they thought were by design more vulnerable to malware,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Fortunately, there is technology to help thwart jackpotting. We at the U.S. Attorney’s Office encourage banks and other financial institutions to invest in these updates, and we’re happy to answer questions about how to do so.”

"This case highlights a growing trend the FBI and our law enforcement partners are seeing nationwide involving a scheme known as 'jackpotting'. In these attacks, criminal actors exploit vulnerabilities in ATM technology to access and steal the cash contained inside the machines - often without legitimate transactions ever taking place, leaving financial institutions to determine how and where the funds were taken,” said Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge. 

“The FBI will continue to identify and expose these schemes, work closely with our private-sector and law enforcement partners to strengthen defense, and pursue those responsible,” said Ormerod. “Criminals should know that innovative methods of theft will not shield them from accountability.  We will use every available investigative tool to disrupt these schemes, protect our communities, and hold those responsible accountable."

Velasquez-Artigas was sentenced to nine months in prison. The other defendants are awaiting sentencing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag prosecuted the case.

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 Press Release

Law Enforcement Officers Honored for Investigations Related to Foreign Acts of Violence and Deadly Fentanyl Distribution

Friday, August 28, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – R. Matthew Price, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, recognized the recipients of the 2026 Guardian of Justice Award, which honored several local and federal law enforcement officers for their work on significant investigations within the district.

The award recipients were honored during the 24th Annual Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee Training Seminar in Springfield, Mo. The prestigious law enforcement award is presented annually by the Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee.

“I commend the agents and law enforcement officers whose dedication and investigative efforts helped bring many dangerous individuals to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Price. “Their work has made our communities safer and serves as an important reminder that collaboration and cooperation are critical to our shared mission of protecting the communities we serve.”

Material Support to Cameroon Separatists Case

Special Agent Jake Green with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kansas City Field Office, received this year’s Guardian of Justice Award for his exemplary work in helping the Western District of Missouri obtain its first ever trial conviction for providing material support to commit various acts of violence abroad. 

Green’s work resulted in the successful conviction of three men who provided material support to separatists in Cameroon. Francis Chenyi, Sr., 52, of Saint Paul, Minn. and Lah Nestor Langmi, 49, of Buffalo, N.Y., both citizens of Cameroon, were sentenced to 180 months each in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Claude Ngenevu Chi, 43, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 63 months, followed by three years of supervised release. All three men were involved in a conspiracy to provide material support or resources to kill, kidnap, and maim persons and use weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in a foreign country. The defendants conspired to provide funds and equipment to separatist fighters in Cameroon to allow them to construct and use IEDs against various targets in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. 

SA Green provided countless hours of diligent, professional, and useful collaboration with the trial team. For example, SA Green worked with the Assistant U.S. Attorneys on the case by traveling out of state to speak with the victims prior to trial about the possibility of testifying. SA Green also worked with the AUSAs for months to identify useful electronic evidence, which was both voluminous and difficult to sift through due to the older document management system in which it was previously uploaded.

Tiger Draggoo Fentanyl Distribution Case

The second Guardian of Justice Award was presented to the law enforcement and legal team responsible for the successful conviction of drug distributor Tiger Draggoo, who was responsible for three fentanyl overdose deaths in the district.

The recipients were:

Detective Jennifer Maynard, Jackson County Drug Task Force/Lee’s Summit Police Department; Detective Mike Murphy, Grandview, Missouri Police Department/formerly Jackson County Drug Task Force; Detective Jeff Richardson, Belton, Missouri Police Department; Corporal Tony Sterner, Cass County Sheriff’s Office; Special Agent Tim Phipps, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Special Agent Tim Flohrschutz, Federal Bureau of Investigation Kansas City Field Office; and Scott Hamann, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri, Financial Investigator.

Tiger Draggoo, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 40 years in prison, followed by 30 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and three counts of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. The victims were ages 17, 18, and 21. In addition, the Court ordered the forfeiture of $146,066 that was seized at the time of his arrest, imposition of a money judgment in the amount of $611,698, and restitution to the victims’ families in the total amount of $65,937.20.  At his guilty plea, Draggoo admitted to distributing or possessing with intent to distribute at least 22,364 fentanyl pills. Law enforcement seized 23 firearms from Draggoo, which included two machineguns and one short-barreled shotgun.  In addition to Draggoo, seven other defendants pleaded guilty to this conspiracy.

2026 Enoch B. Morelock Award

Detective Steve Cook of the Independence, Missouri Police Department was the recipient of the 2026 Enoch B. Morelock Award, which celebrates outstanding moral character as well as service to law enforcement and the community. 

Detective Cook has been employed with the Independence Missouri Police Department since 1993 and has more than 30 years of criminal investigations experience to include assignments at the Jackson County Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Gang Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Task Force. In these capacities, Detective Cook has been a leading force in the prosecution of over 1000 defendants at the state and federal level.

In 1999, Detective Cook’s initiation into federal prosecution requiring jury determination was in the matter of United States v. Mark P. Clayton, a clandestine laboratory methamphetamine manufacturing case which resulted in the defendant receiving a 241-month sentence.

Detective Cook also prepared and presented more than 40 of the approximately 180 cases for federal prosecution involving the illegal use/possession of firearms, the distribution of controlled substances and the victimization of women and children during the Western District of Missouri’s, Operation Red Card, which commenced just before the FIFA World Cup Soccer Games in Kansas City, Mo.

Additionally, Detective Cook is considered a subject matter expert in the area of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMG) and provides OMG training to law enforcement around the world.

Guardian of Justice Award

The annual Guardian of Justice Award recognizes a state or local officer as well as a federal agent for investigative excellence, selfless collaboration, tireless trial support, commendable diligence and professionalism, and noteworthy assistance to prosecution. The prestigious law enforcement award is presented by the Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee each year during the law enforcement training seminar.

 Press Release

Missouri State Representative Candidate Charged with Conspiring to Distribute Cocaine to Frame Opponent

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Campaign Manager Allegedly Instructed to Plant Cocaine Inside Opponent’s Purse and Vehicle

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Missouri state representative candidate has been charged by criminal complaint for conspiring to distribute a controlled substance to plant on his political opponent. 

Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, of Joplin, Mo., was charged in a one-count complaint for conspiring to distribute a controlled substance. Ross is currently running for the state seat in House District 161 and won the Republican primary last month.

As alleged in the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was contacted by the Joplin Police Department (JPD) regarding a “public corruption” matter in Joplin, Mo. According to the initial information provided by JPD, the former campaign manager for Ross (C.S.), was asked by Ross to plant drugs on his opponent (L.S.). C.S. provided law enforcement with a black nylon glove that he claimed was given to him by Ross. A small, plastic bag was inside the glove. Inside of the bag was a small amount of white powder. A Nartec Inc. Cocaine Test Kit was used on the powder, which indicated a positive match for cocaine. 

Additionally, inside of the glove was a pink and white capsule. The capsule was identified as Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine 20 mg extended release, also known as Adderall, a Schedule II controlled substance. C.S. told investigators that he and Ross exchanged text messages, in which Ross requested for C.S. to place the bag of drugs inside of the purse or vehicle of L.S. while Ross was out of state on vacation.

“The American people deserve confidence in an electoral process that has served our nation for generations,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “Candidates are expected to conduct their campaigns with integrity, honesty, and respect for their opponents, allowing voters to make informed decisions without fear of misinformation or undue influence. The Western District of Missouri will continue to uphold fairness, transparency, and integrity in elections and will pursue violations of public trust when warranted”.

“The conduct alleged in these charges are substantial and serious,” said Chris Ormerod, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas City Field Office. “Our citizens deserve to know that the election process is done with transparency and fairness. As this case moves through the judicial process, it’s important that it proceeds fairly, impartially and in accordance with the rule of law.”

The charges contained in the complaint are simply accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon.  This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Joplin Police Department.  

 Press Release

As Children Return to School, U.S. Attorney Announces Prosecutions of Six Trusted Adults Accused of Exploiting Minors

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri announced six recent prosecutions involving trusted adults accused of exploiting children while serving in positions of authority. This announcement comes on the heels of back-to-school season and is part of the district’s ongoing commitment to protect children from alleged predators. 

“When parents send their children to school, they do so with the expectation that their children are in the care of trusted adults,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “They should never have to question whether a teacher, school administrator, or coach, is exploiting or putting their child at risk. Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute those who compromise the safety, security, and well-being of children in our district. Protecting children is among our highest priorities, and we will hold accountable anyone who threatens their safety, to the fullest extent of the law.”

“We entrust our educators with one of the most important responsibilities in our communities: helping shape the lives and futures of our children,” said Chris Ormerod, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas City Field Office. We trust them to educate our students, to teach them the values of responsible citizenship, and to provide guidance and life lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. The vast majority of educators across this country honor that responsibility every day and we deeply commend them for their dedication and service. But make no mistake: when an educator abuses their position of trust to exploit a child, that will not be tolerated.  The FBI will pursue those who prey upon children and will work to ensure that offenders are held accountable under the law.”

Matthew Joseph Wick, 35, Independence, Mo., is a guidance counselor at Raytown South Middle School. On Aug. 25, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Wick with one count of possession of child pornography. According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Wick’s telephone provider submitted several cyber tip reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding videos that were uploaded to the provider’s cloud storage for Wick’s account. According to court documents, investigators discovered that there was a secure folder that contained 55 video files that constituted child pornography on Wick’s cellular device.   This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Independence, Missouri Police Department.

Caleb J. Eyde, 21, is a substitute elementary school teacher for the Independence, Missouri. School District.  On Aug. 25, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Eyde with four counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Discord Inc., a group communication platform, submitted several cyber tip reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding videos depicting Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) that were uploaded to the company’s platform from two accounts. The results of the investigation led local law enforcement and federal agents to Eyde. Investigators obtained Discord Inc. records which investigators believe indicate Eyde was distributing, trading, and purchasing CSAM from other users. Examinations of Eyde’s electronic devices uncovered images and videos depicting CSAM that were saved to Eyde’s devices. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Collins.  It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Independence, Missouri Police Department.

Joel Thomas Rosales, 44, of Independence, Mo., was a former recreational softball coach in Oak Grove, Mo. On Aug. 25, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Rosales with one count of receipt of child pornography. According to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, an adult witness discovered communications from Rosales on a minor victim’s cell phone. The communications were sexually explicit in nature and Rosales received images depicting CSAM. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oak Grove, Missouri Police Department.

Jonathan Xavier Valdez, 36, of Blue Springs, Mo., was an area Scouting America Troop Leader.    On June 24, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Valdez with one count each of production of child obscenity and possession of child obscenity involving multiple minors. According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Valdez, over the course of at least 10 months, allegedly manipulated clothed images of multiple minors to create graphic nude depictions of those children appearing to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Valdez is a troop leader with Scouting America and has been active with the Scouts for several years.  Members of the Federal Bureau of Investigations investigated the allegations after a witness came forward on June 12, 2026, and reported having observed obscene images of minors on Valdez’s smart TV screensaver. During a subsequent search of Valdez’s residence, FBI investigators located multiple manipulated still images and videos depicting at least five minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on Valdez’s TV, cell phone, and other devices. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna.  It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Richard Villigram, 43, of Kansas City, Mo., a Plaza Middle School teacher, was charged in federal court on attempted child exploitation charges. On May 6, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Villigram with one count each of attempted use of an interstate facility to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, attempted receipt of child pornography, and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Villigram, over the course of several days, allegedly engaged in online communications with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing online as a 15-year-old minor.  During his communications with the person he believed to be a minor, Villigram arranged to meet the purported minor to engage in sexual conduct and asked the purported minor to send him pornographic images. Villigram was later arrested on April 21, 2026, after arriving at the location he arranged to meet the minor to engage in sexual conduct.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna.  It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The charges contained in the indictments above are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.