SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Former NFL wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after a Missouri judge ruled that a marijuana arrest amounted to probation violation.
Green-Beckham was sentenced Friday.
Springfield police say Green-Beckham had marijuana in his pocket after jumping from a home window while officers were executing a search warrant in December. No charges were filed, but Judge Jerry Harmison ruled that the arrest was a violation of probation in Green-Beckham’s 2017 driving while intoxicated case.
Green-Beckham’s attorney, Tyson Martin, asked for treatment or counseling instead of jail time.
Green-Beckham played two years at Missouri and was a second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2015. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and cut before the 2017 season.
WICHITA, KAN. – Wichita physician Steven R. Henson was sentenced today to life in federal prison for unlawfully distributing prescription drugs, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Henson-photo Sedgwick Co.
“I want this case to send a message to physicians and the health care community,” McAllister said. “Unlawfully distributing opioids and other controlled substances is a federal crime that could end a medical career and send an offender to prison.”
McAllister continued: “We are dealing with an epidemic. Nationwide, more than 70,000 Americans died in 2017 from drug overdoses. That is more than all the American casualties during the war in Vietnam.”
Henson, 57, operated the Kansas Men’s Clinic at 3636 N. Ridge Road in Wichita, stood trial in October and was convicted on the following counts:Conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs outside the course of medical practice (Counts 1 and 2). Unlawfully distributing oxycodone (Counts 3 through 14). Unlawfully distributing oxycodone, methadone and alprazolam (Count 16). Unlawfully distributing methadone and alprazolam, the use of which resulted in the death of a victim on July 24, 2015, identified in court records as N.M. (Count 17)
Presenting false patient records to investigators (Count 19). Obstruction of justice (Count 20) Money laundering (Counts 26 through 31).
Evidence at trial showed Henson was giving dangerous, maximum strength opioid prescriptions to people who did not need them.
Henson was registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration to dispense prescription controlled substances. His registered addresses included the Wichita Men’s Clinic and a location at 1861 N. Rock Road, Suite 201.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Henson: Wrote prescriptions without a medical need. Wrote prescriptions in return for cash. Post-dated prescriptions.Wrote prescriptions without a legitimate medical exam and wrote prescriptions for people other than the ones who came to see him.
U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten wrote in an order denying the defendant’s motion for acquittal: “The defendant kept no medical records, performed no physical examinations or physical tests, gave massive amounts of opioids to patients with little demonstrated need, wrote unneeded, non-controlled prescriptions in order to defeat pharmacy limits on controlled substances, and knew that patients were traveling improbably long distances to receive opioids. There was ample evidence that Henson was prescribing opioid medications in amounts likely to lead to addiction, and in amounts so expensive that the patients would likely be forced by economic circumstances to support their addiction by selling some of the drugs to others.”
The judge criticized Henson for deliberately not confronting the fact his patients were addicts. He had a uniform, scripted colloquy with patients in which he asked them if they had pain, they said yes and then he gave them prescriptions. In that way, he avoided asking more questions or ordering more tests. Marten called it, “a pantomime of a genuine doctor-patient relationship (that) demonstrated a consistent policy of avoiding the truth.”
Evidence presented at trial showed Henson prescribed opioid medications in amounts likely to lead to addiction and ignored the risk that his patients would pay for their drugs by selling some of the drugs to other people.
McAllister said: “The prosecution of cases involving a health professional’s misuse of medical expertise and authority is extremely important to fight the opioid epidemic. The vast majority of health care providers are people of integrity who follow their oath to help others, abide by the law, and do all they can to protect patients from becoming addicted. The evidence showed that is not what Dr. Henson did in this case.”
“For any doctors, pharmacists or nurses who disregard their oath and distribute powerful drugs illegally to enrich themselves, the message today is that they will be prosecuted to the full extent allowed by federal law.”
f=”https://www.apnews.com/447fec23322240d89089f9e2395de232″>her proposal to reduce Kansas’ annual contributions to its public pension system probably won’t pass the Republican-controlled Legislature this year.
Gov. Kelly signed a bill for an immediate, $115 million payment to KPERS.
But Kelly said Friday that the state “absolutely” must revise its schedule of payments to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.
She added, “I think the Legislature knows that.”
Republicans have said her plan is unwise. The House rejected it last month.
By law, the state must ramp up contributions to close a long-term KPERS funding gap by 2035. Kelly proposed giving the state an extra 15 years to create budget breathing room.
Kelly’s comments Friday came after she signed a bill for an immediate, $115 million payment to KPERS. It repays with interest a contribution skipped in 2016 because of budget problems.
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TOPEKA—Kansas Governor Laura Kelly held her first bill signing ceremony Friday morning.
The following remarks are from the Governor at he bill signing ceremony for Senate Bill 9. The legislation that fixes past mistakes by repaying part of the debt to the state
retirement system.
I’m delighted to be joined by friends and former colleagues, Senator Carolyn McGinn and Senator Tom Hawk, our Republican and Democratic leaders from the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
I’m pleased to sign SB 9 which pays $115 millIon for a previously skipped payment with interest. KS thrives in large part thanks to our public employees. This is a step in the right direction, but we must work together to put KPERS on a more sustainable path. #kslegpic.twitter.com/1RkDZ0Mwp7
— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) March 8, 2019
We invited House Appropriations Chairman Troy Waymaster and ranking member Rep. Kathy Wolf Moore, who we know worked hard on this legislation. They were unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.
I want to thank all four of these legislators for their leadership on this bill and for their work on the challenging process of shepherding a state budget through the Kansas Legislature.
I’d also like to welcome some very special people – retired state employees and KPERS beneficiaries.
Kansas is what it is in large part thanks to our public employees. Working as firefighters, teachers, engineers and so much more – our state retirees made their own special contribution to Kansas throughout the course of their professional lives.
In exchange for their dedicated service, the state committed to provide a stable retirement system. The retirees upheld their end of the deal, but the state did not. KPERS payments have been delayed, layered, or eliminated 15 times in the last 9 years.
Senate Bill 9 is an effort to right that wrong. It will pay $115 million for a previously skipped payment with interest.
While Senate Bill 9 was not my proposal, I very much support it. It is a step in the right direction. And I am encouraged that lawmakers are now committed to improving the long-term stability and sustainability of our KPERS pension system.
But this is just the first step in what will be a long road to recovery.
And as we look down that road – we see KPERS payments balloon. They will nearly double in the next 10 years – climbing to almost $1 billion per year. That is not sustainable. And we will have to find a solution together.
As a budget wonk, I’m thrilled that my first bill to sign as governor pays down debt. But we have much more to do to fix the damage of the last several years.
Republicans and Democrats must work together. We must put politics aside and make wise choices about how we can protect retirees and their benefits – while also putting our pension system on a sustainable path.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Bridge joint repairs on U.S. Route 36, Route 752, Route 759 and Interstate 229 will begin Monday, March 11, and continue throughout the summer.
The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted with Capital Paving and Construction, LLC to complete the repairs.
While some of the work will occur with only single-lane closures or work off the roadway, motorists who utilize the ramps at the I-229 and U.S. Route 36 interchange in St. Joseph will want to note the planned work schedule below as several ramps in that area will close for repair. The ramp closures noted below will be around-the-clock closures for the dates listed. Signed detours will be in place during the closures.
Planned schedule of work (subject to change):
March 11 – April 12: Route 752 over I-229, one lane at a time. Route 752 will remain open throughout the work.
March 11 – April 23: US Route 36 between Route C/Z and Route 31 south. One lane each direction of US Route 36 will remain open throughout the work.
April 15 – May 2: Passing lane of US Route 36 over I-229 and 6th Street closed, both directions. Driving lane will remain open.
May 3 – 29: Ramp CLOSED from I-229 southbound to US Route 36 eastbound.
May 3 – May 17: Ramp CLOSED from 8th/9th street to US Route 36 westbound.
May 3 – May 17: Driving lane of US Route 36 over I-229 and 6th Street closed, both directions. Passing lane will remain open.
May 3 – 29: Ramp CLOSED from US Route 36 westbound to I-229 northbound.
May 30 – June 21: Ramp CLOSED from US Route 36 westbound to I-229 southbound.
June 24 – July 16: Ramp CLOSED from I-229 northbound to US Route 36.
July 17 – August 8: Ramp CLOSED from US Route 36 eastbound to Route 759.
August 9 – Sept. 6: Ramp CLOSED from US Route 36 westbound to Route 759.
For their own safety, and that of road crews, MoDOT encourages all travelers to slow down, eliminate distractions, pay attention and Buckle Up Phone Down.
– Missouri Department of Transportation news release –
SWEET SPRINGS, Mo. (AP) — A rural Missouri hospital has been cut off from the federal Medicare program after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found serious deficiencies threatening patient health and safety.
The federal government has terminated I-70 Community Hospital’s Medicare contract, citing deficiencies that jeopardized patients’ safety.
The federal health agency pulled I-70 Community Hospital in Sweet Springs from its Medicare program on Thursday.
The 15-bed facility about 65 miles east of Kansas City closed and voluntarily suspended its license in February after state regulators found that it was “out of regulatory compliance.”
Oklahoma-based Cohesive Healthcare Management & Consulting was appointed by a court to take over the hospital’s operations. Cohesive Healthcare plans to appeal the federal agency’s decision.
The hospital’s interim CEO, Roland Gee, said the facility is working to address deficiencies so that it can reopen.
I-70 Community Hospital is the latest facility formerly run by North Kansas City-based EmpowerHMS to face regulatory and financial issues. Oswego Community Hospital in Oswego, Kansas, which was owned by EmpowerHMS, also shutteredin February, saying it was unable to pay its bills.
Two other hospitals formerly operated by EmpowerHMS, Hillsboro Community Hospital in Hillsboro, Kansas, and Fulton Medical Center in Fulton, Missouri, were placed under new management after struggling to pay employees and meet other financial obligations.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid also cited Hillsboro Community Hospital for serious deficiencies that included a failure to follow chest-pain procedures for three patients with cardiac complaints and two patients for suicidal thoughts.
The hospital’s CEO didn’t return a request for comment.
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have made an arrest in the homicide of 19-year-old Jacob Bouck whose body was found Christmas Eve approximately one mile West of Wamego on the Kansas River.
Lamia-Beck -photo Pottawatomie Co.Jacob Bouck’s body was found on Christmas Eve- photo courtesy Pottawatomie Co. Sheriff
Detectives with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 23-year-old Cody Lamia-Beck of Wamego, according to Sheriff Greg Riat.
He was taken into custody Wednesday on requested charges of 2nd degree murder and is currently being held at the Pottawatomie County Jail in Westmoreland. No bond has not been set, according to Riat.
The investigation into this homicide continues. The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone who has information about this crime to contact the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353 or ptsheriff.com
Here’s the latest booking activity from the Buchanan County Jail. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. These are courtesy photos.
This information is provided by the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The St Joseph Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is seeking tips on a fugitive possibly in Livingston or a nearby county.
According to the LCSO, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office has an active felony arrest warrant for Jason D. Brodie, 36, Liberal, MO, on two class B felony allegations of Child Molestation-1st degree.
The warrant is dated January 17, 2019, and has a bond listed at $75,000 cash only. Brodie is described as being a white male, about 5-08 tall, 180 pounds, brown hair and green eyes.
The LCSO has been in communication with the Jasper County Sheriff about this fugitive and they are asking for public assistance in locating Brodie. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Brodie are asked to immediately call their local law enforcement agency.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (660) 646-0515.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole for operating a $4.7 million investment fraud scheme involving cattle.
Cameron Hager, of Clinton, Mo., was sentenced Tuesday and ordered to pay $3.2 million in restitution to the victims of his crime. Hager pleaded guiltyin June to wire fraud and money laundering.
Hager operated 5A Holdings. He admitted that from July 2015 to September 2017 he solicited victims to invest in a “cattle fund” that would buy herds of cattle to be sold later at a substantial profit. He said he never intended to buy any cattle.
Hager received $4.7 million dollars from 92 investors. The total loss was $3.2 million. Prosecutors say he used the money for personal expenses like mortgage payments and vehicles.
Those that have been wanting a taste of spring will get it Saturday as storm chances return to the area. With that though is the possibility of isolated strong storms. If you have outdoor activities planned for Saturday, remember when thunder roars, go indoors! It will quiet down for Sunday and most of Monday, but another chance for precipitation returns late Monday through Wednesday. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. East wind around 7 mph.
Tonight: Showers, mainly after 9 p.m. Low around 39. East wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 50. Breezy, with a southeast wind 11 to 16 mph becoming west 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 45.
Monday Night: Rain and snow likely before 1 a.m., then rain likely between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., then sleet likely after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet before 9 a.m., then rain. High near 44. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Rain. Low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Breezy.
