SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to the sexual exploitation of a child and to illegally possessing a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Corey Dean Frasher, 42, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to the charges contained in an April 6, 2017, federal indictment. Frasher remains in federal custody.

The investigation began on Jan. 30, 2017, when law enforcement officers received two Cyber Tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In the CyberTips, Yahoo! Reported that an individual (later identified as Frasher) had uploaded images of child pornography to his Flickr account.

Officers executed a search warrant at Frasher’s residence on Feb. 22, 2017, and seized a computer tower as well as a Winchester 12-gauge shotgun and a loaded Harrington & Richardson 16-gauge shotgun. Investigators examined the computer tower and found a series of child pornography images and videos that were taken at Frasher’s residence. The images and videos depicted Frasher engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor victim.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Frasher has prior felony convictions.

Under federal statutes, Frasher is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 40 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.

JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred May 20 near Mayetta, Kansas and offering a reward, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Just before 2a.m. Sunday, May 20, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a residence in the 13000 block of 166th Road north of Mayetta.

Deputies and investigators arrived at the scene and found multiple rounds that had been fired into the residence. Jackson County EMS transported a minor child from the residence to an area hospital who had been struck by a bullet.

The injury was not life threatening. A reward is being offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of person(s) responsible.

If anyone has any information regarding the incident, you are asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri is bringing in about 2.1 percent more in revenue so far this fiscal year compared to last year.

Data released Monday by state Budget Director Dan Haug show net revenue growth through the end of May. The uptick is on par with revised estimates from lawmakers and former Gov. Eric Greitens, who in January predicted the state will bring in 1.9 percent more in revenue this full fiscal year compared to last.

Missouri’s fiscal year runs from July through June.

Individual income tax collections increased 5.7 percent through May, and corporate income and corporate franchise tax revenue is up 8.2 percent.

Sales and use tax collections are also up 1.9 percent.

All other collections decreased 4.9 percent, and refunds have increased 22.3 percent so far.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Highway Patrol has arrested 16 protesters who blocked access to Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer’s ceremonial office by sitting outside the door.

The people arrested Monday for misdemeanor criminal trespassing were part of the Poor People’s Campaign. They were protesting over health care issues and environmental problems.

Colyer has opposed expanding the state’s Medicaid coverage for needy residents as contemplated by the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act. The Republican governor was traveling Monday.

The campaign began weekly protests May 21. Each one has started with a rally and ended with a demonstration in which participants have been arrested or cited for blocking traffic.

The patrol said the group violated the terms of its permit for Monday’s rally by sitting in front of Colyer’s office, yelling and singing.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTy– Two Westar Energy employees died Sunday night from injuries at Jeffrey Energy Center.

Operations supervisors Craig Burchett, of Overbrook, and Jesse Henson, of Manhattan, were critically injured when a piece of equipment with high pressure steam behind it apparently failed, according to a media release from Westar.

“Our Westar employees work very closely together and form strong bonds,” said John Bridson, Westar’s senior vice president of generation. “All of us who worked with Craig and Jesse are grieving and thinking of their families as we cope with this loss.”

The incident at the energy center happened about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Burchett and Henson were transported by helicopter to the University of Kansas Medical Center, where they were treated for severe burns.

Jeffrey Energy Center, north of St. Marys, is Westar’s largest power plant with three generating units. All three units are shut down while the full circumstances of the incident are reviewed. The company will resume operations at the plant when it can safely do so.

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POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Two workers severely burned in an accident at the Westar Jeffery Energy Center have died, according to Westar media relations manager Gina Penzig.

The accident occurred just after 11 a.m. Sunday at the facility in the 2500 Block of Jeffrey Road near St Marys in Pottawatomie County.

A helicopter transported the two workers to the University of Kansas Hospital. Immediate family members were notified Sunday. Names of the workers have not been released.

The circumstances of the incident are under review. Westar released no additional details.

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POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Two people were injured just after 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Westar Jeffrey Energy facility in the 2500 Block of Jeffrey Road near St Marys in Pottawatomie County.

 According to Westar media relations manager Gina Penzig, the workers were severely burned  and transported by helicopter to the University of Kansas Hospital. Immediate family members have been notified.

The circumstances of the incident are under review. Westar released no additional details.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Authorities are investigating an accident with injuries at the Westar Energy facility in the 2500 Block of Jeffrey Road near St. Marys, Kansas in Pottawatomie County.

Westar media relations manager Gina Penzig was working to get details.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – New Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says he wants to work with the cabinet members picked by former Gov. Eric Greitens.

Parson on Monday told reporters outside his capitol office that he doesn’t anticipate any changes to the cabinet now he’s governor.

Parson assumed leadership shortly after Greitens opted to resign Friday evening rather than continue fighting possible impeachment and allegations of personal and political misconduct.

Both are Republicans but won office independently of each other.

Greitens was a self-described political outsider and named department leaders from across the country, including some who served in similar government positions and others from the private sector.

Parson says Greitens brought in a good team.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have identified the victim in Friday’s fatal rollover crash into a creek.

Just after 11:45 p.m. Friday, a vehicle driven by Ricky L. Leece, 63, of Topeka, was westbound on SW University Boulevard.

The vehicle left the right side of the road, struck a concrete culvert and flipped over into a creek, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.

Upon the deputies’ arrival, they located the overturned vehicle in a creek with the top portion of the vehicle submerged under several feet of water with the driver trapped inside.  Leece was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was not wearing a seat belt, according to Stallbaumer.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach says the outrage over his appearance in a parade atop a Jeep with a giant replica gun mounted on the back is “the left trying to attack guns” and the Second Amendment.

The outrage over the replica gun on the back of a patriotic jeep is the left trying to attack guns and your #2A rights. I will not back down in the face of a snowflake meltdown and outrage culture. https://t.co/FONJBWZWMM #ksleg pic.twitter.com/TEtyFtQ7rT

— Kris W. Kobach (@KrisKobach1787) June 4, 2018

The Republican gubernatorial candidate said in a tweetSunday that he will “not back down in the face of a snowflake meltdown and outrage culture.”

The Kansas City suburb of Shawnee apologized in a statement to those who felt unsafe after Kobach’s appearance at the Saturday morning parade.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management says someone subsequently hacked its Twitter account and sent a message that read: “Hey Kris, I think you are a bad guy with a gun. Also, maybe worse, you a dumb guy with a gun.”