TOPEKA- A former Army soldier was sentenced Thursday to 17 years in federal prison for child abuse, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beal.
Eugene Cleaver, 30, Bonham, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse.
In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred while he was stationed at Fort Riley where he lived with four minor females and their parents.
He received free room and board in exchange for caring for the children and the house.
After the children were removed from their parents’ home and placed in foster care, investigators learned that Cleaver had molested the children and warned them not to say a word or he would get into trouble.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dealing a serious blow to President Donald Trump’s agenda, the Senate early Friday rejected a measure to repeal parts of former President Barack Obama’s health care law after a night of high suspense in the U.S. Capitol.
Unable to pass even a so-called “skinny repeal,” it was unclear if Senate Republicans could advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal “Obamacare.”
“This is clearly a disappointing moment,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. “I regret that our efforts were not enough, this time.”
“It’s time to move on,” he said. The vote was 49-51 with three Republicans joining all Democrats in voting ‘no.’ Kansas Senator Roberts and Moran voted for the repeal.
McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.
3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!
Trump responded on Twitter: “3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!”
GRAY COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on burglary and criminal trespass charges.
Just after 7:30a.m. Thursday an employee of Jantz Excavating, 26503 11 Road in Montezuma, called the Grey County Sheriff’s Department to report a suspicious person on the property, according to a social media report. The individual came into the business, startled the employee and then fled the scene on foot into a milo field to hide from deputies.
Sgt. Colby Ellis and Undersheriff Jeff Sharp found and arrested the suspect identified as Chris Maupin, 56, Dodge City.
Trooper Mike Racy of the Kansas Highway Patrol and Officer Dave Foskhul from Montezuma held the perimeter during the search.
Law enforcement authorities search for the suspect Thursday-photo Gray Co. Sheriff
Maupin is being held on requested charges of criminal trespass, aggravated burglary and interference with law enforcement and the alleged theft of a pickup and an implement. He has previous convictions for drugs and violation of the offender registration act, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say they are investigating whether the death of a couple’s baby in California is related to the death of their older child in Kansas in 2015.
Gage and Debra Roberts were charged with second-degree murder Tuesday in the death of their infant in a Bakersfield hotel in April 2016, according to the Bakersfield Californian.
In Kansas, Shawnee County’s District Attorney Michael Kagay then announced Wednesday there was an ongoing investigation into the death of the couple’s six-month-old baby in Topeka in 2015.
Kagay said his office is cooperating with the Topeka Police Department and authorities in California to determine to if the two deaths are connected.
Court documents filed in California say police were called to a hotel in 2016 and found a maid performing CPR on a baby. The child was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the newspaper.
Gage Roberts said he had slept in the same bed with the infant and they remained face up, the document said. Police reported they found evidence inconsistent with that statement.
The couple told police they had another child die in Kansas from sudden infant death syndrome.
Debra Roberts is represented by the Kern County public defender’s office. Dominic Eyherabide, chief assistant public defender, warned the public against rushing to judgment.
A court-appointed attorney for Gage Roberts could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
The couple is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 1.
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Authorities are investigating whether the death of a couple’s baby in California is related to the death of their older child in Kansas in 2015.
The Bakersfield Californian reports that Gage and Debra Roberts were charged with second degree murder Tuesday in the death of their infant in Bakersfield in 2016.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the district attorney for Shawnee County announced Wednesday an investigation into the death of the couple’s six-month-old baby in Topeka, Kansas in 2015.
Court documents say that police were called to a hotel in 2016 and found a maid performing CPR on a baby. The child was pronounced dead on the scene.
The couple told police they had another child die in Kansas from sudden infant death syndrome.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Gov. Sam Brownback says he wishes Kansas had preserved part of an income tax break he championed as a boon for small businesses.
Brownback cited the death of the exemption for more than 330,000 farmers and business owners as one of his regrets during his 6½ years as governor. He reflected on his tenure during a Statehouse news conference following his nomination by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
His departure would elevate Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, a fellow GOP conservative, to governor. Brownback said he doesn’t know whether he’ll wait until his ambassador’s appointment is confirmed by the U.S. Senate before resigning as governor.
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TOPEKA -Kansas Governor Sam Brownback discussed his appointment to become an ambassador in President Trump’s administration during a news conference Thursday.
The 2-term governor answered many questions on a variety of topics including taxes, the economy and more.
On Wednesday the White House announced President Donald Trump nominated Brownback to serve as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
If confirmed by the Senate, he’ll run the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A fake naturopathic doctor accused of operating medical clinics in Kansas and three other states has pleaded guilty in U.S. court in Alabama. Federal prosecutors say 60-year-old Isabel Kesari Gervais pleaded guilty Tuesday to defrauding patients in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover in 2015.
Authorities say Gervais used the name Dr. Rose Starr to run the Euro Med Klinic. She claimed to use naturopathic medicine to cure illnesses including cancer.
But a statement from prosecutors says the woman admitted lying about her medical license, experience and her credentials in her guilty plea. They say she also used aliases to run clinics in Arkansas, Georgia and Kansas over 15 years.
Gervais was arrested in March in Arkansas. Prosecutors say she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine at sentencing in November.
Fire crews during Thursday water rescue -photo courtesy KCTV
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Storms that dumped several inches of rain on portions of the Kansas City area turned scary for two people after floodwaters briefly trapped them in the bar they own.
As co-owner of Coach’s Bar & Grill in Kansas City, Brian Darby says he began sending out goodbye texts to his family when Indian Creek floodwaters crashed through the business’ wall early Thursday. The two jumped onto the bar and then onto equipment for safety. Firefighters later rescued them through a roof. Darby says the restaurant is a complete loss.
Indian Creek at State Line is cresting at 27 feet this morning, which breaks the previous record level by almost 2 feet, @NWSKansasCity says pic.twitter.com/uwPxGjra37
———- KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Heavy rains across the Kansas City area have closed roads and led to numerous water rescues. National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Bowman says widespread flooding was reported after 4 to 7 inches fell over just a few hours starting late Wednesday in east-central Kansas and west-central Missouri.
Kansas City Fire Chief Paul Berardi urged motorists in a tweet not to drive into high water. He says his department is responding to numerous high water calls. In Kansas, a stretch of Interstate 35 was closed early Thursday. The Missouri Department of Transportation says that road closures in the state include stretches of Missouri 2 and 23 in Johnson County and Missouri 79 in Pike County. Several flood warnings also have been issued for rivers and streams downstream from the deluge.
HESSTON- It is an honor that comes from a heroic deed during the great tragedy in the community of Hesston. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Hesston Police Chief Doug Schroeder will be one of the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Valor.
Hesston Mayor Dave Kauffman made the announcement to city employees and congratulated Schroeder on his accomplishment. Kauffman read an email sent by Gregory Joy, the Designated Federal Officer who is responsible for administering the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor program.
Schroeder was nominated for the award following his actions during the shooting at Excel Industries. Schroeder entered the building without backup, located the active shooter and brought an end to the shooting spree.
City Administrator Gary Emry said Schroeder and “a select group of people” will travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the award ceremony where Schroeder will be given the medal, either by President Donald Trump or by Vice President Mike Pence. Emry said the date of the ceremony is still unknown.
Thursday morning accident in Lyon Co. photos courtesy KVOE
LYON COUNTY- One person was hospitalized after in an accident just after 8a.m. Thursday in Lyon County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Peterbilt semi hauling cattle and driven by Ray. L., Tankersley, 54, Leoti, was traveling on Road X a mile west of Reading.
The driver failed to yield at railroad crossing. The semi’s trailer was hit by an Amtrak Train.
The train engineer Jarrod W. McWhirter, 35, Marshall, MO., was transported to Newman Medical Center.
Tankersley was not injured. Cattle were injured and died as a result of the accident.
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LYON COUNTY – The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating an accident just before 9a.m. Thursday involving an Amtrak passenger train that collided with a cattle truck in Lyon County.
The livestock trailer was split in half in the collision near Road 240 and Road X outside the small town of Reading, northeast of Emporia.
Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari told The Associated Press that at least two of the three crew members in the cab of the Southwest Chief sustained minor cuts and bruises.
He says none of the 211 passengers were hurt. The train left Los Angeles on Tuesday and will resume its trip to Chicago after a replacement crew arrives and the damaged lead locomotive is disconnected.
