JACKSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities captured a wanted Kansas suspect after an extensive search.

Matthew John Shipley, 33, Topeka, was in the Jackson County District Court in Holton when he was searched by a Jackson County Court Security Deputy, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The deputy located what was believed to be drug contraband. Shipley allegedly fled the courthouse.

Jackson County Deputies, Holton Police Officers and Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers searched several locations in an around Holton and the Sheriff’s Office asked the public’s assistance to help locate him.

Deputies received numerous tips of Shipley’s location. The investigation led them to Baileyville, Kansas.

Shipley had received a ride to that area early in the day. Jackson County authorities, Nemaha County Deputies and KHP Troopers surrounded a farmstead in the 1700 Block of E. Road, south of Baileyville.

Shipley fled into a field and later surrendered to law enforcement. Deputies transported him to the Jackson County Jail, where he is being held on felony interference with law enforcement and an outstanding warrant from the Kansas Department of Corrections. He has a previous drug conviction in Shawnee County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A growing number of Republicans are questioning whether Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens should remain in office and are backing a legislative investigation that could lead to impeachment proceedings following the Republican governor’s indictment on an invasion of privacy charge related to an extramarital affair.

Several lawmakers, including some Republicans, are calling on Greitens to resign. The second-highest ranking senator, Majority Leader Mike Kehoe, stopped short of urging resignation but questioned whether Greitens could still effectively lead the state.

“His actions have damaged the reputation of the office,” Kehoe said in a statement late Thursday.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced Thursday that a grand jury had indicted the governor following an investigation launched in January, a day after Greitens admitted having an affair with his St. Louis hairdresser that began in March 2015. The indictment accuses him of taking a compromising photo of the woman without her consent during a sexual encounter at his home.

Greitens released a statement saying he made a mistake but “did not commit a crime.” He accused Gardner, a Democrat who was also elected in November 2016, of playing politics.

“With today’s disappointing and misguided political decision, my confidence in our prosecutorial system is shaken, but not broken,” Greitens said. “I know this will be righted soon. The people of Missouri deserve better than a reckless liberal prosecutor who uses her office to score political points.”

Missouri Republican Party Executive Director Sam Cooper echoed those sentiments Friday, calling the indictment a “political hit job.”

Among those calling for Greitens’ resignation is Republican Sen. Gary Romine, who said impeachment proceedings should begin immediately if Greitens doesn’t step down.

“We need to get this behind us for the betterment of the state,” Romine said. “It is clear the governor cannot lead effectively while defending himself against this criminal charge.”

Greitens was taken into custody Thursday in St. Louis and released on his own recognizance. He canceled plans to be in Washington this weekend for the National Governors Association annual meeting, and the Republican Governors Association said Greitens “no longer intends to serve” on its executive committee.

Greitens’ attorney, Edward L. Dowd Jr. has filed a motion to dismiss the indictment on the grounds that any relationship with the woman was consensual. If the indictment stands, the first court hearing is scheduled for March 16. The sentence for felony invasion of privacy is up to four years in prison.

Republican leaders in the Missouri House have announced plans to form a group of lawmakers to investigate the charges “and answer the question as to whether or not the governor can lead our state while a felony case moves forward.”

The joint statement Thursday from House Speaker Todd Richardson, Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr and Majority Leader Rob Vescovo didn’t specifically mention impeachment, a process that must begin in the House with an investigation. But for some lawmakers, impeachment is on the table.

“Missourians thought they voted for a person of character and integrity, and instead they got a liar and alleged criminal,” Democratic Sen. Jamilah Nasheed of St. Louis said.

Republican Sen. Caleb Rowden and Rep. Kevin Corlew also called on Greitens to resign. Another Republican, Sen. Rob Schaaf — who has long feuded with Greitens — tweeted on Jan. 10, when Greitens first admitted to the affair: “Stick a fork in him.” On Thursday, he posted, “… he’s done.”

Since the affair became public, Greitens, 43, has frequently vowed not to step down. On Thursday, he said the indictment “will not for a moment deter me from doing the important work of the great people of Missouri.”

The indictment states that on March 21, 2015, Greitens photographed a woman identified only by her initials “in a state of full or partial nudity” without her knowledge or consent. The indictment said Greitens “transmitted the image contained in the photograph in a manner that allowed access to that image via a computer.”

Soon after the affair began, the woman’s husband secretly recorded a conversation in which she described the alleged incident. She said on the tape that Greitens invited her downstairs at his home because he wanted to show her “how to do a proper pull-up.”

She said Greitens “taped my hands to these rings and then put a blindfold on me,” took a photo of her partially nude, and then warned her to remain silent.

“I saw a flash through the blindfold and he said, ‘You’re never going to mention my name,'” she said.

Greitens has repeatedly denied blackmailing the woman. He also has repeatedly refused to answer questions about whether he took a photo.

Greitens, a married father of two young boys, came into office as a political outsider, a brash Rhodes Scholar and former Navy SEAL officer who was wounded in Iraq. He emerged as the winner in a crowded and expensive GOP primary.

A former boxer and martial arts expert, he has embraced the role of maverick. He responded to a Democratic attack ad in the fall of 2016 with one of his own in which he fired more than 100 rounds from a machine gun as an announcer declared he’d bring out “the big guns” to fight Democratic policies championed by then-President Barack Obama.

Greitens surprised many experts by defeating Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster in the November 2016 election. Some saw him as a rising Republican star with potential presidential aspirations.

But governing hasn’t always been easy, even though Republicans also control the state House and Senate. Greitens and GOP lawmakers have often clashed, with him comparing some to third-graders and labeling them “career politicians.”

He has also faced questions about so-called “dark money” campaign contributions and criticism for stacking the state board of education. His use of a secretive app that deletes messages is under investigation by Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley.

Greitens’ charity, The Mission Continues, faced scrutiny during the campaign when Democrats accused him of insider politics for accessing the donor list to raise about $2 million through its top contributors.

___

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens remains defiant, even amid calls for impeachment or resignation, after a St. Louis grand jury indicted him for felony invasion of privacy, alleging the Republican took a compromising photo of a woman during an extramarital affair the year before he was elected.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner on Thursday announced the indictment that followed an investigation launched in January, a day after Greitens admitted to an affair with his St. Louis hairdresser that began in March 2015.

Greitens, in a statement, said he made a mistake but “did not commit a crime.” He accused Gardner, a Democrat who was also elected in November 2016, of playing politics.

“With today’s disappointing and misguided political decision, my confidence in our prosecutorial system is shaken, but not broken,” Greitens said. “I know this will be righted soon. The people of Missouri deserve better than a reckless liberal prosecutor who uses her office to score political points.”

Gardner’s spokeswoman, Susan Ryan, responded: “Despite the Governor’s personal attacks, the Circuit Attorney believes the courtroom is the appropriate place to argue the facts, not the media.”

Greitens’ attorney, in a separate statement, called the indictment “baseless and unfounded.” Attorney Edward L. Dowd Jr. filed a motion to dismiss the indictment on the grounds that any relationship with the woman was consensual.

A few lawmakers from both parties suggested that Greitens should consider resigning, just as they did after he admitted to the affair on Jan. 10.

House Republican leaders announced they were forming a group of lawmakers to investigate the charges “and answer the question as to whether or not the governor can lead our state while a felony case moves forward.” Dowd said the governor welcomes the review.

The joint statement from House Speaker Todd Richardson, Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr and Majority Leader Rob Vescovo did not specifically mention impeachment, a process that must begin in the House with an investigation.

But for some lawmakers, impeachment is on the table.

“Gov. Greitens has to go,” Democratic state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed of St. Louis said. “Missourians thought they voted for a person of character and integrity, and instead they got a liar and alleged criminal.”

Greitens, 43, has frequently vowed that he won’t step down. He indicated Thursday he intends to stay and fight.

“This will not for a moment deter me from doing the important work of the great people of Missouri,” Greitens said in the statement.

The indictment states that on March 21, 2015, Greitens photographed a woman identified only by her initials “in a state of full or partial nudity” without her knowledge or consent. The indictment said Greitens “transmitted the image contained in the photograph in a manner that allowed access to that image via a computer.”

Soon after the affair began, the woman’s husband secretly recorded a conversation in which she said Greitens took the compromising photo at his home and threatened to use it as blackmail if she spoke about the affair.

Greitens has repeatedly denied blackmailing the woman, but has repeatedly refused to answer questions about whether he took a photo.

Greitens was taken into custody in St. Louis and released on his own recognizance. He is due in court for his first hearing on March 16, before Circuit Judge Rex Burlison. He could face up to a four-year sentence if convicted.

The statute of limitations for invasion of privacy in Missouri is three years, which means it was due to expire in less than a month.

Ryan, asked if additional charges could be filed, said the matter is still under investigation. Several lawmakers were questioned last week by investigators from Gardner’s office.

Greitens, the father of two young boys, came into office as a political outsider, a brash Rhodes Scholar and Navy SEAL officer who was wounded in Iraq, emerging as the winner in a crowded and expensive GOP primary.

A former boxer and martial arts expert, he has embraced the role of maverick. He responded to a Democratic attack ad in the fall of 2016 with one of his own in which he fired more than 100 rounds from a machine gun as an announcer declared he’d bring out “the big guns” to fight Democratic policies championed by then-President Barack Obama.

Greitens surprised many experts by defeating Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster in the November 2016 election. Some saw him as a rising Republican star with potential presidential aspirations.

But governing hasn’t always been easy, even though Republicans now control both houses as well as the governor’s mansion. Greitens and GOP lawmakers have often clashed, with him comparing some to third-graders and labeling them “career politicians.”

He has also faced questions about so-called “dark money” campaign contributions and criticism for stacking the state board of education. His use of a secretive app that deletes messages is under investigation by Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley.

Greitens’ charity, The Mission Continues, faced scrutiny during the campaign when Democrats accused him of insider politics for accessing the donor list to raise about $2 million through its top contributors.

 

 

———–

5:30 p.m.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens will face a court appearance March 16 after being indicted by a St. Louis grand jury on a felony invasion of privacy charge.

Court records show that Greitens will appear before Circuit Judge Rex Burlison. No further details about the hearing were released.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced the indictment Thursday. She launched an investigation in January after Greitens admitted to an affair with his St. Louis hairdresser that began in March 2015. He was elected governor in November 2016.

The woman told her husband, who was secretly taping the conversation, that Greitens took a compromising photo of her at his home and threatened to use it as blackmail if she spoke about the affair.

Greitens’ attorney called the indictment “baseless and unfounded,” and says he will seek to have it dismissed.

___

5:15 p.m.

Some Democratic lawmakers are calling on Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens to resign or be impeached following his indictment on a felony invasion-of-privacy charge.

House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty said Thursday that Greitens should consider resigning. She said it “will be extremely difficult for him to effectively do his job with a felony indictment hanging over his head.”

Democratic Sen. Jamilah Nasheed called on Republican House Speaker Todd Richardson to begin impeachment proceedings against Greitens. Richardson had no immediate comment.

Greitens has acknowledged having an extramarital affair in 2015.

The indictment from a St. Louis grand jury accuses Greitens of photographing a fully or partially nude woman and transmitting that image.

His attorney Edward Dowd Jr. called the criminal charges “baseless and unfounded” and said Greitens is innocent.

___

5 p.m.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens’ attorney says a felony invasion of privacy charge against the Republican is “baseless and unfounded.”

Lawyer Edward Dowd on Thursday said the governor is “absolutely innocent” in response to St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s announcement of a grand jury indictment against Greitens related to his affair with a woman in 2015.

Dowd in a statement said Greitens will file a motion to dismiss the charges.

Gardner launched an investigation in January after Greitens admitted to the affair with his St. Louis hairdresser that began in March 2015. He was elected governor in November 2016.

The woman told her husband, who was secretly taping the conversation, that Greitens took a compromising photo of her at his home and threatened to use it as blackmail if she spoke about the affair.

A news release from Gardner says it is a felony if a person transmits an image “in a manner that allows access to that image via a computer.”

___

4:20 p.m.

A St. Louis grand jury has indicted Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens on a felony invasion of privacy charge related to the Republican’s affair with a woman in 2015.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced the indictment Thursday. She launched an investigation in January after Greitens admitted to an affair with his St. Louis hairdresser that began in March 2015. He was elected governor in November 2016.

The woman told her husband, who was secretly taping the conversation, that Greitens took a compromising photo of her at his home and threatened to use it as blackmail if she spoke about the affair. A news release from Gardner says it is a felony if a person transmits an image “in a manner that allows access to that image via a computer.”

Messages seeking comment from Greitens and his attorney were not immediately returned.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A Kansas City, Missouri, woman was sentenced to nearly 3.5 years in federal prison for forging a court order to get another inmate released from prison.

Prosecutors say 53-year-old Margie Shephard was sentenced Thursday to three years and five months without parole.

Shephard was an inmate at a federal prison in Bryan, Texas, when she tried to forge a document to get fellow inmate Leann Raejeana Turner, of Blue Springs, Missouri, immediately released from prison. The document included a forged signature from a federal judge.

Prosecutors say Shephard mailed the document to her sister, who faxed it to prison officials from a grocery store in November 2014. Prison officials became suspicious because of the reduced sentence and typographical errors in the order.

The forgery is Shephard’s 30th felony conviction, most involving fraud.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas man is accused of beating the family dog and burning her with a propane torch.

Lemuel Dean Hunter Jr., 57, was charged Wednesday with a felony count of cruelty to animals. His bond has been set at $10,000.

Leavenworth Police say they were called to a home Monday and were told by someone there that a relative, now identified as Hunter, was abusing the family dog. Police say the 3-year-old corgi and beagle mix was struck with a board, kicked, choked and burned with a torch.

Hunter has denied the allegations and tells police he was trying to move the dog from one kennel to another.

Authorities say Leavenworth Animal Control evaluated the dog and kept her in their custody Wednesday.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A Missouri lawmaker who called for the vandal of a Confederate monument to be hanged won’t be punished.

House Speaker Todd Richardson told reporters Thursday that the comment was inappropriate but said he won’t take action against fellow Republican Rep. Warren Love.

Love in an August Facebook post expressed hope that whoever vandalized the monument would be “hung from a tall tree with a long rope.”

House Democratic leader Gail McCann Beatty was among lawmakers who said Love’s words evoked images of lynchings of black people.

On Thursday she said she wanted a different outcome but added that she hopes the controversy had an impact on Love.

She noted that Love voted against a bill to increase penalties for hurting police dogs, a proposal that was slammed by black lawmakers.

LYON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two Kansas teens on burglary and drug charges.

On Wednesday, USD 251 Superintendent Aron Dody called the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and advised he found a firearm inside a student’s vehicle located at Northern Heights High School, according to Sgt. Jacob Welsh.

During the investigation it was found that the firearm was stolen from a vehicle in Americus, Kansas.

Deputies arrested the student, Jace Sull, 18, Americas, Kan, for possession of a firearm on school grounds and possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

Sull was arrested for 3 counts burglary to a vehicle, 2 counts of theft, 1 count of attempted theft, 1 count of conspiracy, 1 count of criminal damage to property, 1 count of criminal use of weapons on school property, 1 count of possession of marijuana and 1 count of possession of paraphernalia.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – Authorities say a Springfield tutor has admitted through a child pornography plea to photographing a former student while meeting with her in a private room at a public library.

The U.S. attorney’s office says 29-year-old John Paul Sparapani admitted Wednesday to the child pornography charge. Prosecutors say the 12-year-old victim came forward after learning from her mother in August that Sparapani had pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography. The girl reported that Sparapani had sexually assaulted her during tutoring sessions starting when she was 10. The girl say Sparapani rewarded her with candy and Pokemon cards.

After the new allegations, Sparapani was granted a motion to withdraw the original guilty plea. Prosecutors say the new case will take the place of the original indictment.

By BRIAN GRIMMETT

The Trump administration remains unlikely to back off its plans to ease Obama era restrictions that make it harder for utility companies to burn coal.

Likewise, the federal courts may eventually decide what pollution rules the Environmental Protection Agency can enforce on energy production.

Yet, still, scores of people testified Wednesday in Kansas City about efforts to repeal the controversial Clean Power Plan. The current administration wants to dump it. The previous administration believed it was needed to protect the environment from air pollution and global carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

EPA officials listened to people from around the region during sessions set up for various factions to vent on a hot-button issue.

Cheryl Marcum drove more than two and a half hours on icy roads from Stockton, Mo., where her home relies on solar power. She wants the Obama rules to stick.

“They can do what’s right or we will just stay on their cases until we protect our planet,” she said.

The Obama era plan puts tougher regulations on coal-fired power plants in an effort to force states towards cleaner sources of energy. More than two dozen states challenged the plan in federal court. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately issued a stay, preventing the agency from enforcing it.

The Trump White House contends that administrative rules created under the Clean Power Plan go beyond what law allows the EPA to impose.

“We are looking for alternatives, and we’re looking for constructive criticisms and also constructive suggestions,” said regional EPA administrator Jim Gulliford.

The agency’s listening tour also includes stops in the coal country of Wyoming and West Virginia. It will stop in San Francisco next week.

“So there’s an opportunity, hopefully, to hear a very broad spectrum of interests,” Gulliford said.

The effort to repeal the Clean Power Plan is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to revitalize the American coal industry.

More than 180 witnesses had signed up to testify on Wednesday. Among them was Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley’s office. The state is on record siding with the Trump administration and against the Clean Power Plan.

Brian Grimmett is a reporter focusing on the environment and energy for the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @briangrimmett.