MANHATTAN —Leaders at Kansas State University are calling for unity after racist flyers were discovered Wednesday morning.

Several posters with messages promoting white nationalism were seen taped on light posts and other structures across the K-State campus. The flyers also included links to TheRightStuff.biz and AltRight.com, websites linked to the alternative right movement.

In a statement released by Student Body President Jack Ayres and Vice-President Olivia Baalman, students are being asked to come together by wearing purple on Thursday.

“Tomorrow we ask that you #StandinSolidarity against the repugnant posters found on campus today. Please join our community by wearing purple tomorrow to show our commitment to an inclusive campus. We encourage you to take action civilly, and stand up for any situations of injustice you see.”

Most of the posters were removed by early Wednesday afternoon. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Life by phone at 785-532-6432 or by email at stulife@ksu.edu.

GIRARD, Kan. (AP) — A former Pittsburg police officer is charged after he allegedly coerced a woman he had arrested into improper sexual contact in exchange for helping her in her legal case.

Twenty-two-year-old Jessie Edward Loren Davis, of Carthage, Missouri, surrendered at the Crawford County jail Tuesday. He is charged with aggravated sexual battery and official misconduct.

Investigators say Davis was taking a woman involved in a domestic disturbance to jail on Aug. 26 when he allegedly told her he would help her with the case if he could touch her breasts. The woman told investigators she allowed Davis to touch her out of fear about what would happen if she didn’t.

Davis was fired after the incident was reported. It wasn’t clear if he had an attorney.

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities issued an apology to a family over what initially was believed to be a forged check for a large sum at a bank in Wichita.

In a media release Wednesday, the Wichita Police Department (WPD) said officers followed department policy regarding forgery calls.

Chief Gordon Ramsay said the officers’ actions in this case are documented through written reports, body worn camera video, bank surveillance video, and a 911 call.

Just after 12:30 p.m. on September 6, WPD officers were dispatched to Emprise Bank (2140 N. Woodlawn) regarding a reported forgery in progress. The information relayed was that a man approached a bank employee with a “fake” $151,000 check.

One Kansas Highway Patrol Officer, one Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Officer, and two Wichita Police Officers initially responded to the call. During the 911 call, an Emprise Bank employee reported the check was altered, forged, and lacking watermarks. The employee stated the check was from a bank in Michigan, but the routing number on the check revealed the bank was actually in Cleveland. The bank was unable to verify the legitimacy of the check.

Following department policies, WPD continued to investigate the matter and financial crime Detectives were involved. The family was transported to the WPD Investigations Division, arriving at 1:43 p.m. Soon after, Detectives were able to verify the legitimacy of the check after making additional calls. The verification occurred about 48 minutes after the family’s arrival at the Investigations Divisions.

WPD officials apologized to the family for the misunderstanding and transported them back to their vehicle.

“Even though WPD Officers followed policy, we feel bad for what happened in the course of the investigation,” said Chief Gordon Ramsay, who has reached out to the family. “When unfortunate situations such as this one arise, it creates an opportunity for dialogue between the police and the community. That dialogue can help us improve.”

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged domestic violence.

Just after 11:30p.m. Tuesday, a police officer on patrol noticed a vehicle which was the object of an attempt to locate traveling in the 2700 Block of SW Burlingame in Topeka, according to a media release. When the officer attempted to initiate a stop, the driver, later identified as Nicholas Scott Smiley, 36, Topeka, drove away.

After a short pursuit, Smiley fled the vehicle in the 2000 Block of SW Lincoln. Police established a perimeter and with the help of K-9 team found Smiley hiding in a nearby garage.

Police booked Smiley into the Shawnee County Jail on charges of Aggravated Assault, Domestic Battery,

Criminal Restraint, Flee and Elude Police, Possession of Drug paraphernalia and for other traffic violations.

Smiley has a previous conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. The KDOC does not list details of his conviction.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on three men accused of plotting to bomb a Kansas apartment complex housing Somali refugees

A man accused of planning to bomb a Kansas apartment complex that houses Somali refugees says he was unaware his co-defendants intended to carry out the attack.

Gavin Wright made the argument in a court motion filed Wednesday that offers the first details at his defense strategy.

His attorney filed the 93-page document during a hearing where she asked that Wright be released pending trial. The judge hasn’t ruled on the request.

Wright and co-defendants Patrick Stein and Curtis Allen are charged with conspiring to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex in Garden City, a meatpacking town about 200 miles (322 kilometers) west of Wichita. They’ve pleaded not guilty.

Wright’s motion is redacted, but it portrays Wright as a lonely man desperate to find friends after moving to rural western Kansas. It contends Wright believed the talk about surveillance of the Somali Muslim refugee community was only hyperbole.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita officer recovering from injuries suffered when he was run over by a stolen car earlier this year has been transferred to a rehabilitation center in Texas.

Brian Arterburn flew to Texas on Tuesday after spending several months at a Colorado hospital. He’s expected to continue rehabilitation until he’s cleared to go home. The 25-year police veteran was unconscious for multiple days after being hit by the car in February. He began walking again while at Craig Hospital in Colorado.

Was fortunate to spend some time with Officer Brian Arterburn today in Denver. He is very determined and is working hard to get better. pic.twitter.com/TaS6zYcRvL

— Chief Gordon Ramsay (@chieframsay) September 1, 2017

Arterburn was an officer assigned to the Wichita Police Department’s Patrol South bureau when he was hurt. Justin Terrazas is accused of driving the vehicle. He is charged with aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer and other felonies in connection with the case.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a DUI crash involving a Kansas sheriff’s office detention deputy.

Just after 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Wichita Police Department responded to a vehicle collision at Mount Vernon and Edgemoor, according to a media release from Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter.

The driver of one of the vehicles involved in the collision is a detention deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and has been for almost two years.

The driver displayed signs of impairment, was arrested by the Wichita Police Department, and was booked in to jail on allegations of Driving Under the Influence.

The DUI case is being investigated by the Wichita Police Department and an internal investigation will be conducted by the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

Name of the deputy was not released.

ABILENE, Kan. (AP) — A former central Kansas sheriff’s lieutenant is charged with stealing cash that was seized as evidence.

Greg Swanson will make his first appearance next month on felony charges of theft, official misconduct and criminal solicitation. The complaint filed last month alleges that he stole between $1,500 and $25,000 from 2012 through January.

Swanson began working for the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office in 2009 after 19 years with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.

Dickinson County Sheriff Gareth Hoffman didn’t immediately respond to phone or email inquiries from the newspaper about how the accusations against Swanson might affect cases in which the former drug task force agent was expected to testify or has testified.

Swanson’s phone number isn’t publicly listed, and court records don’t list his attorney.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Three Kansas State Fair employees are facing charges after allegedly selling fair gate tickets for their own profit.

The employees were arrested Tuesday and accused of approaching people who were walking toward the fair, selling them tickets and keeping the money for themselves.

Two of the men, Leeon Virgil Gould Jr., and Charles Scott, both 47 and of Hutchinson, made a first court appearance Wednesday and were ordered to return next week. The third suspect, Brett Ezra Thomas, bonded out of jail and did not make his first appearance.

Reno County Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen said another fair employee reported the sales to authorities.

 

MANHATTAN — Officials are investigating a hazardous waste leak on campus at Kansas State University.

Just after 8:30a.m. Wednesday the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to the Chemistry/Biochemistry Building on Kansas State University’s campus for a report of a hazardous materials spill, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, crews found a small ammonia cylinder on the third floor had been leaking and had been shut off by K-State Facilities.

Fire crews monitored the air to ensure the building was safe for occupants.  A total of 13 firefighters responded on 4 fire apparatus with the last units clearing at around 9:30 a.m. Two patients were checked out by Riley County Emergency Medical Services for possible exposure to ammonia and were released.

The Chemistry/Biochemistry Building houses offices, classrooms and research labs for those departments. There was no loss associated with the incident.  Fire crews assisted in ventilating the building and the building was turned over to facilities and lab personnel.

Fire crews were assisted by K-State Environmental Health and Safety, K-State Facilities, Riley County EMS, and K-State Police Department.