Prison Sentence News Graphic

Kansas City man sentenced to 12 years in prison for meth trafficking and illegal firearm

 A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm and methamphetamine to distribute after trying to break into a car and a house. Joel L. Redman, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. On Sept. 15, […]

Marijuana Trafficking News Graphic

Missouri man who was arrested after an armed standoff with police pleads guilty to marijuana trafficking

A Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing a firearm following a brief armed standoff with police officers. Jamahl D. Jones, 35, Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to one count of possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in relation […]

Prison Sentence

Missouri woman sentenced 8 years in prison for meth trafficking

A Missouri woman was sentenced in federal court for methamphetamine trafficking after she received a large package of methamphetamine shipped from California to distribute locally. Cassiopeia Marie Blaise, 37, Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to eight years in federal prison without parole. Blaise pleaded guilty on Aug. 31, 2021, to […]

White-tailed Deer Fawn

Missouri Department of Conservation urges the public to leave wildlife wild

As many head outside to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather this spring, they may come across a variety of newborn animals. It may appear young creatures are abandoned, but that’s usually not the case. The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds Missourians that interfering with wildlife does more harm than good. MDC State Wildlife […]

Hospital Bed (Photo by Frederic Köberl on Unsplash)

Legislators weigh blocking COVID visitor restrictions at Missouri hospitals, nursing homes

(Missouri Independent) – State Rep. Ed Lewis had just hours to say goodbye. In March 2020, his 89-year-old mother had to go to the hospital after suffering from a fall. Lewis’ sister was their mother’s primary caregiver, but in the pandemic’s first days as hospitals restricted visitors, family members weren’t allowed to stay with her. Lewis […]

Cocaine News Graphic

Missouri man sentenced to 30 years in prison for crack cocaine trafficking and an illegal Firearm

A Missouri man with an extensive history of violent crime was sentenced in federal court for trafficking crack cocaine and illegally possessing a firearm. Mitchell B. Byrd, 43, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 30 years in federal prison without parole. This sentence is an upward variance from the […]

John Boyd photo courtesy of John Boyd Junior

Democrats file suit to keep two-time Republican candidate off ballot for Missouri House seat

(Missouri Independent) – Democrats want to kick a candidate off the ballot in the race for a Kansas City-area Missouri House seat, claiming the Grandview man who filed in the 36th District contest is actually “a longtime Republican and vocal opponent of the Democratic Party.” John D. Boyd Jr. filed for the seat on Feb. […]

Missouri Supreme Court

Supreme Court refuses to hear Kim Gardner appeal in Eric Greitens records case

(Missouri Independent) – It will be up to a St. Louis judge to decide how long Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has to produce records sought by a journalist considered an ally of former Gov. Eric Greitens. The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a last-ditch appeal by Gardner of an order giving her […]

Fentanyl Graphic

Four Missouri men indicted for a fentanyl conspiracy that resulted in overdose death

Four Missouri-area men have been indicted for their role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in an overdose death. Dmitry Cattell, 22, Joseph Burgess, 21, and Jordon Simmer, 20, all of Kansas City, Mo., and Kelton Hill, 22, of Parkville, Mo., were charged in a nine-count indictment returned under seal by a federal […]

Hands in Handcuffs Arrest graphic

Five arrested by Trenton and Grundy County authorities

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on April 6th of a Trenton man who allegedly broke in and stole items from a business in February. Two Spickard residents were also arrested on April 6th. Forty-eight-year-old Oliver Eugene Vandevender has been charged with the felonies of second-degree burglary, stealing $750 or more, and first-degree […]

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

Audio: Missouri U.S. Senators announce votes against Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson

It’s two Missouri thumbs down from our state’s U.S. Senators on the possibility of the nation’s first black female Supreme Court associate justice. Joey Parker tells us why our federal delegation is saying “nay” even before today’s (Monday’s) Senate Judiciary Committee vote.   (Audio credit ABC News) U.S. Senator Roy Blunt announced his intent on […]

Trenton Building and Nuisance Board

Trenton Building and Nuisance Board takes action on several properties at March meeting

Trenton’s Building and Nuisance Board on Monday evening took action on several properties of concern while deciding to table others. Because progress was made by Jon Phillips on requested repairs and cleanup, the board voted to remove 1514 Mable Street from the nuisance list. 1429 Chestnut and 1013 Tindall Avenue were advanced to public hearings […]

Eric Greitens (Photo is screenshot from Eric Greitens YouTube channel)

Eric Greitens accused of physical abuse in affidavit filed by his ex-wife

(Missouri Independent) – Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is facing new allegations that he physically abused his ex-wife and children and that in the months before his resignation became so unstable that his access to firearms had to be limited.  The accusations are included in a sworn affidavit filed by former Missouri First Lady Sheena Greitens as […]

Prison Sentence

Judge sentences Missouri woman to 9-1/2 years in federal prison on drug and gun charges

Kietra R. Studdard, age 44, of Fenton, Missouri appeared before United States District Court Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk and pleaded guilty. Studdard was sentenced to 115 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  […]