Federal charges have been filed against a guard from Platte City, two inmates and four people for allegedly smuggling methamphetamine, synthetic marijuana, and alcohol and cigarettes to inmates in the CCA Leavenworth Detention Center.
U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom announced the charges Monday.
A criminal complaint filed Sunday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., alleges the conspirators built an elaborate system for getting contraband into the prison and moving money from inmates behind bars to a man outside the prison who obtained the contraband that he gave to the guard to smuggle into the prison. Outside the prison, inmates’ friends and family members participated by helping to move money from buyers to sellers by wire transfers and other means.
“The criminal complaint alleges that inside the prison methamphetamine and other contraband was delivered to inmates during meetings of the 12 Step Program, in the prison library and during church services,” Grissom said.
Federal charges in the criminal complaint include:
Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (count one).
Providing methamphetamine to CCA inmates (count two).
Providing synthetic marijuana to CCA inmates (count three).
Providing tobacco products to CCA inmates (count four).
Possessing methamphetamine in CCA (count five).
Possessing synthetic marijuana in CCA (count six).
Possessing tobacco products in CCA (count seven).
The following defendants are charged:
Anthon Aiono , 28, Platte City, Mo., a correctional officer at CCA: counts one, two, three and four.
Stephen Rowlette, 35, an inmate at CCA: Counts one, five, six and seven.
Karl Carter, 41, an inmate at CCA: Counts one, five, six and seven.
David Bishop, also known as Mr. Green, 68, Sedalia, Mo.: Counts one, two, three and four.
Alica Tackett, 29, Independence, Mo., Stephen Rowlette’s wife: Counts three and four.
Catherine Rowlette, 59,Sedalia, Mo., mother of Stephen Rowlette: Counts one, two, three and four.
Among the allegations in the criminal complaint and affidavit are these:
The investigation began in 2015 after federal investigators learned that drugs and other contraband were regularly entering the CCA.
Inside the prison, inmates took deliveries of contraband during meetings of the 12-step program, in the law library and during church services.
During phone calls from CCA, inmates gave family members and friends instructions on how to get money to the people who provided the contraband. In some cases, they argued over the phone about how to purchase Wal-Mart money grams.
During one phone conversation, inmates talked about getting “blistered” on drugs and walking around like “zombies” behind bars.
In one phone call from behind bars, an inmate directed family members to try “Superflea,” a flea market in Kansas City, Mo., to find synthetic marijuana for sale.
Inmates devised a scheme for disguising money arriving in incoming mail by using large manila envelopes with the names of law firms and concealing the money beneath a letter-sized white envelope affixed to the front of the envelope.
Inside CCA, contraband was expensive. In one conservation, an inmate described a pack of cigarettes costing $150 in CCA.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry following penalties:
Count one (methamphetamine conspiracy): A maximum of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.
Counts two and five (providing or possessing methamphetamine in prison): A maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Counts three, four, six and seven (providing or possessing contraband in prison): A maximum penalty of six months and a fine up to $100,000.
Dora Edde Slavin, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, April 9, 2016, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha.
William E. “Bill” Kimsey, 82, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, April 10, 2016.
Arlene Tritten, 79, Savannah, Missouri passed away peacefully Thursday, April 7, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family and pastor.
Susan Marie Potter 60, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital, Saint Joseph, MO. She was born December 17, 1955 in Des Plaines, IL, daughter of Georgia and Roy McGarrah. She graduated from Central High School and Missouri Western State College with a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Education in 1975. She married Whitney “Nick” Potter May 11, 2006 and he survives of the home. She worked at Sherwood Medical from 1980 – 1993 when it closed during the flood of 93. She enjoyed growing tomatoes, and plants, fishing and loved to cook, and attend family outings. She was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Nancy McGarrah. Survivors include, husband, Whitney “Nick” Potter of Saint Joseph, MO, a daughter, Kelly (Jordan) Siewert of Toledo, OH, 2 grandchildren, Natalie and Lucas, three sisters, Tina (Dennis) McGarrah-Vance of Saint Joseph, MO, Maureen (William) Floyd of Lees Summit, MO, and Pamela Galvan, one nephew, several nieces.
Sharon Kay Wilson 67, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital, Saint Joseph, MO. She was born September 29, 1948 in Weatherby, MO, daughter of Frances and Covel Helms. She graduated from Winston High School and Casper’s Beauty School in St. Joseph. She married Mike Wilson April 30, 1977 he preceded her in death March 31, 2008. She worked at Jimmy’s LeFemme as a Beautician. She was an amazing cook, who loved to fish, sew, and can foods. She was involved with vacation bible school at Copeland Baptist and New Home Baptist Church, and was a member of New Home Baptist Church . Sharon was preceded in death by husband, and her parents. Survivors include, son, Doug (Carrie) Wilson of Saint Joseph, MO, step daughter, Suze (Allen) Jackson and stepson, Chad (Heather) Wilson of St. Joseph, MO, three grandchildren, Christopher, Cameron, and Brook Wilson, a brother, Steve (Carol) Helms of Cameron, MO, seven sisters: identical twin Karen (Ivan) Gann of Stewartsville, MO, Linda (Bob) Schermerhorn of St. Joseph, MO, Beverly (Robert) Wattenbarger of Cameron, MO, Evelyn (Lynn) Banks of St. Joseph, MO, Debbie (Chuck) Kemmer of Easton, MO, and Brenda (Steve) Lee of Weatherby, MO.
Richard J. Hollopeter, 92, Amazonia, Missouri passed away Friday, April 8, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Mrs. R. Jane Weingart 94, Atchison, Kansas died at Sunrise of Leawood in Leawood, Kansas on April 8, 2016.
