MediaBlog

Media Blog, RIP

2006-06-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

In a few days, this blog will be removed. We're no longer posting new items here, but we didn't want to just disappear with no notice. We may incorporate some of the blog's features, such as the schedule of events, in our district's Web site, which is currently being redesigned.

Tuesday's Schedule

2006-06-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Dana A. Braden, change of plea at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8A
Charles Clingenpeel, sentencing at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8E
Aristeo Montoya Roman, sentencing at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
Angelo Porrello, re-sentencing at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8C
Spencer La Key, sentencing at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 8EScott L. Grass, change of plea at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 8C
Raymond A. Delacruz, change of plea at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 7B
Eric Christoher Eymard, sentencing at 2:15 p.m. in Courtroom 8C

Springfield:

Gary Sinden, sentencing at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 1
Bryan Amlin, change of plea at 3 p.m. in courtroom 1

Monday's Schedule

2006-06-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Chauncey S. Dawson (KCMO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, change of plea at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 8A
Jeffery A. Ray (Belton MO), indicted for child porn change of plea at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 8A
Scot Dujuan Hazel (Raymore, MO), who pled guilty to bank robbery, will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
Timothy A. Gorman (Sugar Creek, MO), who pled guilt to conspiracy to distribute meth, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8E
Christina M. Silvey, change of plea at 10:45 a.m. in Courtroom 8C
RickieT. Atagi (Independence, MO), who pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth, will be sentenced at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 8E
Marvin G. Yarrington, change of plea at 1 p.m. in Courtroom 8E
Lionel Ruiz-Valenzuela (Mexican national) will be sentenced at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 7B

Springfield:

Doris Faye Cox (Aurora, MO), who pled guilty to stealing mail, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 1
Victor Manuel Gomez-Coronado (Mexican national), who pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth as a result of Operation Ice Storm, will be sentenced at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 1
Aaron Nino-Sanchez will be sentenced at 3 p.m. in Courtroom 1

Monday's Schedule

2006-06-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Grand Jury is in session this week; no indictments scheduled to be returned today

Springfield:

Pedro Garcia-Sarate (Mexican national in Dallas County, MO), indicted for illegally possessing a firearm, change of plea, 9:30 a.m. in Magistrate Courtroom

Friday's Schedule

2006-06-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Rebecca L. Martin (Raytown, MO), who pled guilty to her role in a conspiracy to distribute meth as a result of Operation Icy Hot, will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Raul Luna-Adame (KCMO), who pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Emerson E. Harlin, who pled guilty to distributing crack cocaine, will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7B

Springfield:

Aracely Vega (Rogers, ARK), indicted for conspiracy to distribute meth in Jasper County, change of plea at 2 p.m. in Magistrate Courtroom

Thursday's Schedule

2006-05-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Sulpiso Lopez-Hernandez (KCMO), who pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth and illegally reentering the United States, will be sentenced at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Tina Christine Smith (KCMO), who pled guilty to filing false tax returns for her clients, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8B
Martinus Anton Sayles (KS), who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud by passing counterfeit payroll checks, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Carl W. White (KCMO), convicted by a jury of possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8E
Seferino Roman Jacobo (Santa Ana, CA), who pled guilty to conspiracy to cash stolen U.S. Treasury checks using counterfeit identification, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
Donald Schlagle, charged with hacking a U.S. Dept. of Education computer, change of plea at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 6E
Gary L. Bitzer (Claycomo, MO), who pled guilty to illegally possessing a firearm, will be sentenced at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Mitchell C. Powell (KCMO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, change of plea at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 6D
Kiml E. Jackson (KCMO), indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, change of plea at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 8A

Wednesday's Schedule

2006-05-31T06:12:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Lemont D. Amow (KCMO), indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, trial continues at 8:15 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Freddie D. Strong, indicted for illegally possessing a firearm, change of plea hearing at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
Harold Hughes (KCMO), who pled guilty to aiding and abetting others to distribute crack cocaine, will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 7B

Springfield:

Clint Ball (Ozark, MO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute meth as a result of Operation Leapfrog, trial begins at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 1

Tuesday's Schedule

2006-05-30T06:22:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Lemont D. Amos (KCMO), indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, trial begins at 8:45 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Douglas R. Magee (Stanley, KS), indicted for possession with intent to distribute meth, change of plea at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 8B
Allen T. Bloodworth, waiver and plea at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7B

Vacation Break

2006-05-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

No new posts will be uploaded to the Media Blog until June. If you need assistance, please contact Roseann Ketchmark at (816) 426-4220.

Anti-meth initiatives

2006-05-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales today announced new anti-methamphetamine domestic initiatives as well as new partnerships between the U.S. and Mexico in fighting meth trafficking at the National Methamphetamine and Chemicals Initiative(NCMI) Strategy Conference.

“These initiatives represent a policy of true mutual cooperation that will put meth use and all its horrors firmly on the road to extinction,” said Attorney General Gonzales.

Here is today's news release from the Justice Department.

Project Safe Childhood

2006-05-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales today announced the beginning of the nationwide implementation of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a Department of Justice initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.

"We are in the midst of an epidemic of sexual abuse and exploitation of our children," said Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. "Project Safe Childhood will help law enforcement and community leaders prevent, investigate, and prosecute sexual predators and pornographers who target our children and grandchildren."

Here is the news release from the Department of Justice, and the text of Gonzales' remarks at today's press conference.

Wednesday's Schedule

2006-05-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Russell Charles Peters (Cameron, MO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute meth as a result of a NITRO investigation, change of plea at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 7A
Chauncey S. Dawson (KCMO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, change of plea at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 8A
Bobby E. Dady, change of plea at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8E
Jan H. Fichman (Leawood, KS), owner of 7th Heaven stores who was indicted for selling more than $3 million worth of illegal drug paraphernalia, change of plea at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7A
Wesley A. Bass (KCMO), indicted for illegally possessing firearms, change of plea at 10:45 a.m. in Courtroom 8C
Claudell Ann Bruyer (Kidder, MO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute meth as a result of a NITRO investigation, change of plea at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 7A
Robert A. Boleware (KCMO), indicted for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, change of plea at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 8E
Cody J. Gilreath, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth as a result of a NITRO investigation, will be sentenced at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom 7A
Steven B. Frencher (KCMO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, change of plea at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom 8A

Grand Jury is in session, with returns expected late this afternoon

Springfield:

Randy Dabney (Strafford, MO), who pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, will be sentenced at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 1
William D. Carpenter, indicted for conspiracy to distribute meth in Greene County, change of plea at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 1
Jesus Gonzalez (Monett, MO), indicted for possession with intent to distribute meth, change of plea at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 1

Tuesday's Schedule

2006-05-16T06:10:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Francisco Magana-Rodriguez, change of plea at 9 a.m. in Corutroom 7B
Donald Wayne Evans (Phoenix, AR), who pled guilty to bank fraud, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
Steven W. Wait (Independence, MO), who pled guilty to illegally possessing a firearm, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8E
William Robert Simmons (Gallatin, MO), indicted for illegal firearm, change of plea at 10:45 a.m. in Courtroom 8C
Airton Mosquera (Houston, TX), who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in the Kansas City area, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8A
Gregory O. Watkins (Independence, MO) will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 8A
Wanda L. Barber (Belton, MO), who pled guilty to perjury, will be sentenced at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom 8E
Shawn M. Roe (Belton, MO), indicted for possession with intent to distribute meth, change of plea at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom 8A
Nathan O. Kirby (KCMO), who pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, will be sentenced at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom 7B

Grand jury is in session, with returns expected late this afternoon.

Springfield:

Alyna Wilson, indicted for conspiracy to distribute meth in Greene County, change of plea at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 1
Danita Porter (Ava, MO), indicted for illegally possessing firearms, change of plea at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 1
Michael Joe Neal, indicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine in Greene County, change of plea at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 1
Gerald Behr (Joplin, MO), indicted for illegal firearms, change of plea at 11:30 a.m. in Magistrate Courtroom
Lee M. Smith (Thayer, MO), indicted for illegally possessing a firearm, change of plea at 11:30 a.m. in Magistrate Courtroom
Gilberto Bolanos-Cazarez (Tijuana, Mexico), indicted for bulk cash smuggling, change of plea at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 1
Josh Hurst (Kissee Mills, MO), indicted in a large-scale meth conspiracy as a result of Operation Leapfrog, change of plea at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom 1
David Climer, change of plea at 3 p.m. in Courtroom 1
Aaron Dominguez, indicted for conspiracy to distribute meth in Greene County, change of plea at 4 p.m. in Courtroom 1

Monday's Schedule

2006-05-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Christopher Lee Bears (Blanchard, Iowa) will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
Carolyn R. Harris (Gilbert, ARIZ), a former IRS employee who was indicted for stealing taxpayers' refund checks, change of plea at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 7B

Thursday's Schedule

2006-05-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Kathy R. Koch (Lee's Summit, MO), who pled guilty to mail fraud, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
Derrick E. Ashley (St. Joseph, MO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, change of plea at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Billy J. Thompson (Independence, MO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute Oxycontin, change of plea at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Johnny L. Stanley (Independence, MO), indicted for illegally possessing a firearm, change of plea at 11:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Bryan C. Barnett (Chicago, IL), who pled guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy, will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 7B
Tony L. Coil (St. Joseph, MO), indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, change of plea at 2 p.m. in courtroom 8A

Springfield:

James M. Alsup (West Plains, MO), indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, change of plea at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 1
Billy Doyle (Fairgrove, MO), who pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, will be sentenced at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 1
Reginald Irish, who pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, will be sentenced at 3 p.m. in Courtroom 1
Ryan Kallman (Fort Leonard Wood), who pled guilty to obtaining a controlled substance by forgery, will be sentenced at 3:30 p.m. in Courtroom 1
William L. Clark, who pled guilty to illegally possessing a firearm, will be sentenced at 4 p.m. in Courtroom 1

Wednesday's Schedule

2006-05-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Justin James Wink, who pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8A

Springfield:

Gary Wayne Deaton (Greenfield, OH), who pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, will be sentenced at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 2
Glenn H. Harlow will be sentenced at 9:45 a.m. in Courtroom 2

Grand jury is in session

Jefferson City:

Rene August Malcuit (Hughsville, MO), indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, change of plea at 11 a.m.

Tuesday's Schedule

2006-05-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Theodus Jones (KCMO) will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7C

Grand Jury is in session, with returns expected this afternoon.

Springfield:

Thomas Joel Maggard and Arlene Frances Wolfe, change of plea at 1:30 p.m. in Magistrate Courtroom

Operation Ice Palace

2006-05-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

The trial of Roy Hudspeth (Springfield, MO), the CEO of Handi-Rak who was indicted for conspiracy to distribute ingredients used to manufacture meth, is expected to conclude today. The indictment against Hudspeth came as a result of Operation Ice Palace, an investigation into the illegal sale of large quantities of over-the-counter cold medications to meth manufacturers in southwest Missouri.

Here is our news release announcing the indictment of Hudspeth.

Monday's Schedule

2006-05-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Theotis Young (KCMO), who pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
Luis Aguilar-Mendez (KCMO), who pled guilty to being an illegal alien and to possessing a firearm, will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 8A
Harold Hughes (KCMO), who pled guilty to aiding and abetting others to distribute crack cocaine, will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 7B

Springfield:

Roy Hudspeth (Springfield, MO), CEO of Handi-Rak, indicted for conspiracy to distribute ingredients used to manufacture meth as a result of Operation Ice Palace, an investigation into the illegal sale of large quantities of over-the-counter cold medications to meth manufacturers in southwest Missouri, trial continues at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 2

Jefferson City:

Robert Jason Voepel (Columbia, MO), who pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, will be sentenced at 1 p.m.

Friday's Schedule

2006-05-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Jason M. Grandstaff (Gladstone, MO), who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8C

Springfield:

Barry Allen Crooks (Hollister, MO), indicted for conspiracy to distribute meth in Greene County, change of plea at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 1

Thursday's Schedule

2006-05-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Terry Fred Johnson (Trenton, MO), who pled guilty to distributing Dilaudid and Kadian (morphine), will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 8C
Richard S. McMaken (KCMO), indicted for illegally possessing firearms, change of plea at 11:30 a.m. in Courtroom 8C
Shawn M. Ross (Raytown, MO), who pled guilty to attempting to manufacture meth, will be sentenced at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 7B

Springfield:

Roy Hudspeth (Springfield, MO), CEO of Handi-Rak, indicted for conspiracy to distribute ingredients used to manufacture meth as a result of Operation Ice Palace, an investigation into the illegal sale of large quantities of over-the-counter cold medications to meth manufacturers in southwest Missouri, trial continues at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 2

7th Heaven guilty plea

2006-05-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

Jan H. Fichman (Leawood, KS), who was indicted for selling more than $3 million worth of illegal drug paraphernalia from 7th Heaven stores in Kansas City, MO, and Sedalia, MO, will enter a change of plea at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2006, in Courtroom 7A.

Here is our news release announcing the federal indictment.

Wednesday's Schedule

2006-05-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Earl Whitmire (KCMO), who pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, will be sentenced at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 8A
Bruce Henwood Truesdale (Jefferson City, MO), indicted for child porn, change of plea at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 8E
Raul Madraso (KCMO), indicted for crack cocaine and an illegal firearm, change of plea at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Anthony S. Murphy (KCMO), who pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
Christopher L. Jackson (KCMO), who pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8C
Two co-defendants will be sentenced in separate appearances in Courtroom 8C. Armando Rodela-Aguilar, convicted by jury of conspiracy to distribute meth, will be sentenced at 1:15 p.m. Angela Rose Fennell (City Heights, CA), who pled guilty to interstate travel in aid of a racketerring enterprise, will be sentenced at 2 p.m.

Springfield:

Roy Hudspeth (Springfield, MO), CEO of Handi-Rak, indicted for conspiracy to distribute ingredients used to manufacture meth as a result of Operation Ice Palace, an investigation into the illegal sale of large quantities of over-the-counter cold medications to meth manufacturers in southwest Missouri, trial continues at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 2

Jefferson City:

The following hearings are scheduled to being at 9 a.m.

Earl Smith and Koai Kedze Matthews (both of Jefferson City, MO), indicted in a counterfeiting conspiracy, change of pleas
Lance C. Tomlinson (Arizona), who pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, will be sentenced
Leroy Perry (Columbia, MO), who pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, will be sentenced
Robert M. Huff (Boonville, MO), who pled guilty to making false statements and theft of government funds (railroad disability benefits), will be sentenced
Kathryn M. Doerhoff (Jefferson City, MO), indicted for misappropriating postal funds, change of plea

Tuesday's Schedule

2006-05-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Paul L. Byrd (Independence, MO), indicted for being a felon in possession of firearms, change of plea at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Three co-defendants, Mexican nationals convicted by jury of conspiracy to distribute meth, will be sentenced in separate appearances in Courtroom 8C: Arturo Navarrete-Silva (9:30 a.m.), Joel Castro-Gaxiola (10:15 a.m.) and Reyes Guadalupe Martinez-Ruiz (11 a.m.)
Render Freeman (KCMO), indicted for crack cocaine, change of plea at 1 p.m. in Courtroom 7C
Maurice S. Sayles (KCMO), who pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud by passing counterfeit payroll checks, will be sentenced at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 7C

Springfield:

Roy Hudspeth (Springfield, MO), CEO of Handi-Rak, indicted for conspiracy to distribute ingredients used to manufacture meth as a result of Operation Ice Palace, an investigation into the illegal sale of large quantities of over-the-counter cold medications to meth manufacturers in southwest Missouri, trial continues at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 2
Ricky Meads (Cedar County, MO), indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, trial continues at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 1

Monday's Schedule

2006-05-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Kansas City:

Keith Koenigsdorf, waiver of indictment and change of plea, 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7C
Gregory M. Chollet (Overland Park, KS), who pled guilty to illegally importnig fenfluramine ("fen-phen"), will be sentenced at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8E
Julian M. Morales (El Paso, TX), indicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, change of plea at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 8A
Sheila Rathbun (Independence, MO), waiver of indictment and plea at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 7B
David M. Lablance (KCMO), change of plea at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 8A

Springfield:

Roy Hudspeth (Springfield, MO), CEO of Handi-Rak, indicted for conspiracy to distribute ingredients used to manufacture meth as a result of Operation Ice Palace, an investigation into the illegal sale of large quantities of over-the-counter cold medications to meth manufacturers in southwest Missouri, trial begins at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 2
Ricky Meads (Cedar County, MO), indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, trial begins at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 1