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Traffic stop nets 117 pounds of cocaine; two indicted

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USDOJ colorTwo people were indicted Tuesday on federal charges they had 117 pounds of cocaine hidden in their car when they were stopped for a traffic violation in Wabaunsee County.

Marco Antonio Aispuro, 48, and Maria Janeth Moreno-Cento, 39, were charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. In addition, Moreno-Centeno was charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported.

Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said documents filed in the case allege Moreno-Centro was driving and Aispuro was in the passenger seat on Oct. 21, 2016, when the Kansas Highway Patrol pulled them over on I-70 eastbound near mile marker 333 in Wabaunsee County. Troopers found 117 pounds of cocaine in the driver’s side rear quarter panel and the spare tire.

Upon conviction, the drug charge carries a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The immigration charge carries a penalty up to two years and a fine up to $250,000.

Former Weston man pleads guilty in $2.25 internet steroids distribution

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USDOJ bw smallA former Weston, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to leading a $2.25 million conspiracy to sell anabolic steroids over the Internet.

Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that Aaron Vincent Schweidler, 32, of Smithfield, N.C., formerly of Weston, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to participating in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute anabolic steroids and to a conspiracy to commit money laundering. Schweidler admitted that he and co-conspirators operated an Internet-based company called Power Trip, which sold various anabolic steroids to customers (including athletes and minors) throughout the United States.

Co-defendants Nicole R. Lyne, 26, also of Smithfield, N.C., and formerly of Weston; Michael G. Peters, 27, of Pelham, N.H.; and Samuel C. Miller IV, 30, of Annapolis, Md., have also pleaded guilty, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office

Conspirators required customers to pay for the steroids by using various debit cards. Customers used names and account numbers for these debit cards that were provided by conspirators. Conspirators used stolen identities to produce or obtain debit cards, such as Green Dot MoneyPak, MyVanilla, ReloadIT, NetSpend ReloadIT and BlackHawk. They required their customers to send payments to these cards in order to conceal and disguise the proceeds of the illegal transactions.

Schweidler began operating this online anabolic steroid distribution business in late 2011 in Utah. Schweidler quickly sought out assistance from other conspirators, including Peters, to help collect the proceeds from the illegal drug sales. Eventually Schweidler relocated the operation to North Carolina, until relocating again in 2013 to the Kansas City, Mo., area.

Schweidler was primarily responsible for the manufacture and distribution of the steroids and he managed the collection of illegal drug proceeds. Initially Peters’s role was primarily to collect the illegal drug proceeds from customers who were required to pay via MoneyGram and Western Union, and also later via debit cards. Peters eventually joined Schweidler in North Carolina to continue the operation. Over time Peters also became more involved with Schweidler in purchasing supplies and assisting in the steroid manufacturing process, as well has handling online customer orders and shipping steroids to customers.

In late summer 2013, Schweidler and Peters relocated the operation to the Kansas City, Mo, area, and Lyne became involved in the conspiracy. Eventually Schweidler turned over more operational duties to Peters, who recruited Miller to move to Kansas City to assist in the operation. In the fall of 2014, Peters and Miller took over operational responsibilities for PowerTrip and relocated the operation back to North Carolina in an effort to avoid law enforcement detection of the operation.

During the conspiracy Schweidler personally sent in excess of $176,000 in drug proceeds

Patchy frost in the forecast

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weather-11-8Clouds and light rain will gradually taper off from west to east this morning, with sun gradually coming by afternoon. Dry conditions expected for the rest of the week. Here’s your 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 61. North wind 6 to 13 mph.

Tonight: Patchy frost after 3 a.m. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 36. North wind 3 to 8 mph.

Wednesday: Patchy frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 61. Light and variable wind.

Wednesday Night: Patchy frost after 3 a.m. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph after midnight.

Thursday: Patchy frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66. Southwest wind 5 to 11 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 42.

Veterans Day: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 64.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Former penitentiary guard admits wearing special shoes to smuggle tobacco, faces up to 15 years in prison

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USDOJ colorA former federal prison guard pleaded guilty Monday to bribery charges, admitting he took money to smuggle tobacco into the Leavenworth Penitentiary.

Marc Buckner, 47, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of a public official accepting bribes. In his plea, he admitted he was paid each time he smuggled tobacco into the prison. He hid tobacco and rolling papers in two handmade insoles in his shoes.

Inmates paid Buckner $750 for each can of Bugler brand tobacco and rolling papers he smuggled. He said he smuggled tobacco once or twice a month for years.

Sentencing will be set for a later date. Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said Buckner faces a penalty of up to 15 years in federal prison.

Guilty plea in interstate sex trafficking conspiracy

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USDOJ bas relief logoA Topeka man pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to operate an interstate sex trafficking business.

Barry M. Johnson, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. In his plea, he admitted conspiring with co-defendants to run a Topeka-based prostitution business that operated in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. At times, as many as 20 females were working as prostitutes for the organization.

Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said the leader of the organization rented houses where some of the prostitutes were allowed to live. The organization used Web sites, social media and cell phones to advertise sexual services and to keep track of prostitutes.

Johnson admitted he recruited and groomed potential sex workers for the organization. Johnson would notify the leader of the conspiracy he had a female who was ready to work and they would negotiate how much he would be paid.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 6. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 46 months in federal prison.

Co-defendant Frank Boswell, 42, Topeka, Kan., and Michaela Hekekia, 36, Topeka, are set for trial Jan. 3. Co-defendants Rachel Flenniken, 34, Topeka, Kan., and Sean P. Hall, 47, Topeka, Kan., are awaiting sentencing. Shannon Nelson, 23, Topeka, Kan., is set for sentencing Jan. 23.

Beall commended the Topeka Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.

Driver in armed robbery gets three year sentence; twin brother awaits sentencing

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USDOJ coinA Topeka man was sentenced Monday to 43 months in federal prison for helping his twin brother rob a payday lender’s store.

Acting U.S. Attorney for Kansas Tom Beall said Lamar Ray Steele, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting a commercial robbery. In his plea, he admitted he was the driver in a June 4, 2014, robbery at Check Into Cash at 3711 S.W. Plaza Drive in Topeka.

He waited in the car while his twin brother went into the store brandishing a firearm. The brothers fled after the robbery.

Co-defendant Charles Lamar Steele, 26, Topeka, is set for sentencing Dec. 12. Co-defendant Zennie Lee Vasser, 33, Topeka, Kan., was sentenced to 43 months.

Four local Apple Market stores to close

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Apple Market logoFour Apple Market grocery stores in St. Joseph will close in less than two weeks.

In a news release, the operators of the store offered their thanks to employees and customers and was signed by Todd and Michele Euler and Mike and Kathy Decker.

“We want to thank the great employees and customers we have had the honor to work with over the last 8 years. We have worked hard to be a partner with the community and to support the great people and organizations of St. Joseph, MO.,” they said in the news release.

The four stores are located at 903 N. 36th Street, 3734 Pear, 2300 Mitchell, and 402 E. Price in Savannah. According to the news release, the last day of operation for all four stores will be Nov. 19.

Woman arrested with injury after chase in northeast Kansas

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Atchison County Sheriff KSA Horton woman is being treated in an Atchison hospital for injuries allegedly sustained from fleeing authorities in a stolen vehicle.

According to the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded Saturday around 9:15 p.m. to a report of a stolen vehicle in the area of Sherman Rd. and 244th Rd.

Sheriff Jacke Laurie said a deputy stopped Megan Hollister, 32 of Horton in the stolen vehicle at that location in rural Atchison but when the deputy turned around she fled northbound at a high rate of speed.

“The deputy lost sight of the vehicle but believed the vehicle was headed toward the city limits. The deputy then located the vehicle where Hollister had crashed on Raven Hill RD just West of 6th Street in the city of Atchison,” Laurie said. “Hollister fled on foot but was located after a short search.”

He said it appeared that Hollister had gone left of center, drove off the left side of the roadway, over-corrected, rolled-over, and hit a tree.

“Hollister suffered from a fractured leg but no other major injuries,” Laurie said.

She was arrested and transported to the Atchison Hospital for injuries sustained during the crash.

Laurie said Hollister was arrested for investigation of theft, driving while suspended, fleeing or eluding, as well as a Jackson County District court warrant for burglary. She remains in the hospital in the Sheriff’s Office custody.

Obituaries November 1-3

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Loretta “Lynne” Hughes
1973-2016

unnamedLoretta “Lynne” Hughes 43, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital. She was born March 20, 1973 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Marget Janet Jones and the Late Charles Hughes Jr. She graduated from East Buchanan High School and Missouri Western State University. She worked at River Bend as a Juvenile Justice counselor. She loved to read. Lynne was preceded in death by her father Charles Hughes Jr. Survivors include, Mother Marget “Janet” Jones of St. Joseph, daughter, Kali (Tyler) Borchardt of St. Joseph, MO, two sons, Bryson and Javian Hughes of the home, a grand daughter Zoey Mathews, four brothers, Mitchel (Gloria) Huhges of Springfield, MO, Michael Hughes, of St. Joseph, Chuck (Christi) Hughes of St. Joseph, and Robert (Lisa) Hughes of Kansas City, MO as well as several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday with a funeral service to be conducted at 2:00 PM at the Rupp Funeral Home. Mrs. Hughes will be cremated following the services. Memorials are requested to the Lynne Hughes memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Bettye Luella Palmer (Holmes)
1931-2016

4624815Bettye Luella Palmer (Holmes) was born Tuesday, October 13th, 1931; and passed away Tuesday, November 1st, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. Visitation will take place Saturday, December 3rd, 2016, 1:00pm – 2:00pm. Located at the Atchison United Methodist Church. Services held Saturday, December 3rd, 2016, 2:00pm. Officiating Rev. Nancy J Kollhoff. Located at the Atchison United Methodist Church. Interment located at the Oak Hill Cemetery. Graveside Services and Burial will be 3:00 pm on Wednesday, November 9th, 2016 at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Atchison, KS. Visitation and Memorial Services will be Sat. Dec. 3rd, 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Atchison United Methodist Church.
 
 
 
Olga Leona Fairbanks
1923-2016

unnamedONAGA – Olga Leona Fairbanks, 93, of Onaga went to her eternal home on November 2, 2016 at the Westy Community Care Home in Westmoreland. She was a life- long resident of the Onaga area.
Olga was born May 11, 1923 in Wheaton, KS the daughter of Wilhelm and Helena Abitz.
She was the youngest of eleven children, born on the eleventh day at eleven o’clock. She attended schools in Duluth and Wheaton and graduated from Wheaton Rural High School in 1941. In her teen years she worked at an Onaga bakery, and then at Safeway in Manhattan.
Olga spent much of her younger years in the homes of her siblings helping raise her nieces and nephews, whom she was very close to all of her life.
She married Lynn Fairbanks on April 21, 1957 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wheaton.
After marriage Olga was a farmwife and homemaker. They spent all their married life on the family farm. Olga was known for her angel food cakes which were present at every family reunion. She was also known as “Kitty” or “Grandma Kitty” to those who knew her best, nicknamed by the Gunsmoke fans in the family.
Olga was a member of the St. Luke Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid at the church.
She was preceded in death by parents, husband, and each of her siblings and their spouses, with the exception of her sister-in-law Florence Abitz (Chet) who resided as her roommate at the care home.
Olga is survived by her children Barbara Depew (Chuck), Wamego, John Fairbanks (Deanna) Onaga, and Alan Fairbanks (Regina) Shawnee, KS. Her grandchildren, Marissa Ostrander (Shaun), Brandon Depew (Ashley), Jonathan, Jesse and Tess Fairbanks, and Alaina, Brianna and Chandler Fairbanks, three great grandchildren, Camden, Casen, and Calen Depew and a host of nieces and nephews
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 5th at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the Onaga Cemetery. Olga will lie in state at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Onaga until 3:00 p.m. on Friday. She will lie in state after 5:00 p.m. at the church. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Luke Lutheran Church, and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 312, Onaga, 66521.

Arlan Charles Mitchell
1950-2016

3997360Wathena, Kansas – Arlan Charles Mitchell, 66, lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 and passed away peacefully in his home.
Arlan was born on September 26, 1950 in Mattoon, Illinois to Vernon & Virginia (Johnson) Mitchell.
Arlan went to Eastern Illinois College and went on to work in Colorado where he met the love of his life, Retha Ruhnke Mitchell. They were married on September 6, 1975 and later moved to Wathena.
Arlan enjoyed his recliner, the history channel, spending time with family and his work!
He worked for Dowell Division of Dow Chemical for 9 years, the Grain Companies of Troy and Wathena for 17 years, and most currently was manager at the REA in Troy, Kansas, where he has been for the past 18 years. He was a workaholic and loved what he did. Arlan had many friends and lots of family that will never forget him.
Arlan was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and step-mother, Audrey Mitchell, mother Virginia Johnson and father-in-law, Paul Ruhnke.
Survivors include: wife Retha Mitchell of the home;
Son, Chad Mitchell of Wathena, Kansas;
Daughters, Nicole Brushwood (Greg) of Wathena;
Jenna Ralston (Randy) of Troy;
Allie Mitchell of St. Joseph, Missouri;
Grandsons, Dayton Mitchell and Gunnar Brushwood;
Granddaughters, Paige Ralston, Tori Ralston and Piper Ralston;
Sister, Helen Shaw of Aurora, Colorado;
Brothers, Mike Mitchell of Spokane, Washington;
Dave Mitchell of Aurora, Colorado;
Many other extended family members.
Memorial Service: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, November 5, 2016
At the Christ Lutheran Church in Wathena, Kansas
Visitation: 6-8 Friday evening at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas, where friends may call after 10:00 A.M. Friday.
Arlan’s wishes are to be cremated.
Memorials: Wathena EMS or the Troy Ambulance Fund

Donna Lea Bracken
1938-2016

3998036Wathena, KS – Donna Lea (Poirier) Bracken, 78, of Wathena, Kansas passed away Thursday, November 3, 2016 at the Mosaic Life Care of St. Joseph, Missouri.
Donna was born on March 26, 1938 in Wathena, Kansas to Edward LaMonte Sr. & Eulalia (Gabriel) Poirier. She was a lifelong resident of Wathena. Donna sold life insurance for the Monumental Insurance Company, then worked for the UMB Bank in St. Joseph, Missouri retiring in 2000.
She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Ann’s Altar Society, American Legion Auxillary, Red Hatters and Happy Valley Extension Unit all of Wathena.
Donna married John Bracken on November 23, 1957 in Troy, Kansas. He survives of the home. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Additional survivors: daughters; Deb Wertin of Olathe, Kansas
Nan Downing (Kenton) of Capital Heights, Maryland
Jennifer Dwyer (David) of St. Joseph, Missouri
Son; Bill Bracken (Molly) of Fountain Valley, California
9 grandchildren 6 great-grandchildren
Sister; Nancy McKernan of Wathena, Kansas
Brothers; Edward & Robert Poirier both of Wathena, Kansas
Numerous nieces & nephews
Funeral Mass: 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 8, 2016
At the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wathena, Kansas
Visitation: 6-8 Monday evening at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas, where friends may call after 12 Noon Sunday
Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Wathena
Memorials: Wathena EMT’s or Bracken’s Kitchen

Joy Louise Neumann
1922-2016

unnamedJoy L. Neumann, 94, Atchison, Kansas died Thursday, November 3, 2016, with her husband, children and family at her side, at Atchison Senior Village.
A con-celebrated Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Benedict’s Church. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, November 12th from 9:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Atchison Senior Village and may be left in care of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home

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