Man Charged After Non-Fatal Deputy-Involved Shooting

A man is facing serious charges after a non-fatal shooting involving deputies that occurred Saturday, August 30, in Kansas City, Missouri. The incident unfolded around 2:21 p.m. on the 5200 block of North Oak Trafficway, after police were alerted to a disturbance involving an adult male armed with a large knife at a shopping center. According to Kansas City Missouri Police Department, the individual had left the scene before officers arrived.

Authorities broadcasted a description of the suspect, and a Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy soon spotted the individual near NE 50th St. and North Oak Trafficway at approximately 2:27 p.m. When the deputy attempted to investigate, the man produced a large knife from his waistband and fled northbound along North Oak Trafficway. Deputies initiated a foot pursuit, repeatedly ordering the suspect to stop and drop the weapon.

The chase led to a wooded area, where deputies continued to issue commands for the suspect to surrender. The man stopped but then charged at the deputies before halting again. As backup, including Sheriff K-9 units, was called to the scene to de-escalate the situation, deputies persisted in instructing the man to drop the knife and give himself up peacefully. The suspect again refused to comply and still armed, charged the deputies a second time. At this time, two deputies discharged their service weapons, striking the man.

Deputies immediately rendered medical aid until emergency medical services arrived and transported the individual to a local hospital. His injuries were non-life-threatening, and he was expected to be released from the hospital the same evening. A large knife was recovered at the scene. No deputies were injured during the encounter.

The suspect has been identified as Aaron M. Perez-Engel, 38, who now faces charges of first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and armed criminal action. He is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Plane Crash Under Investigation in Clay County

The Clay County Sheriff's Office is investigating a plane crash that occurred just north of the Midwest National Air Center near Mosby earlier Wednesday, August 27.

Clay County dispatchers received emergency calls reporting heavy smoke rising from a field near NE 140th Street and Rhodus Road shortly before noon. Witnesses suspected the smoke was the result of an aircraft accident.

Deputies arrived promptly at the scene and discovered a Cessna C340 fully engulfed in flames in a soybean field. The aircraft was found with at least two occupants inside, both of whom have been confirmed deceased. Initial details suggest the plane had been attempting to land at the Midwest National Air Center, and preliminary information indicates it may have originated from an airport outside the St. Louis metro area.

Investigators are currently working to identify the occupants of the plane. Once identification is complete, authorities will notify the next of kin before releasing the names to the public. Until then, the identities of those involved remain undisclosed.

As a result of the crash, air traffic at the Midwest National Air Center remains suspended until 5 p.m. on August 27 to allow investigators to safely work at the site. The Clay County Sheriff's Office has also notified the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, which will take over the investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Four Arrested for Attempting to Engage in Sex Acts with Children

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested four men Aug. 7 and 8 who were seeking to have sex with 14-year-old girls as part of a broader law enforcement operation to combat human trafficking occurring in communities north and east of Kansas City, Mo.

The following suspects have been charged with felony attempted enticement of a child:

• Jorge Arguello-Benitez, 48, of Kansas City, Mo.

• Simon Gomez-Cruz, 22, of Kansas City, Kan. He also is under investigation by federal authorities for possible immigration law violations.

• Elpidio Lopez-Alonzo, 23, of Kansas City, Mo.

• Nicholas S. Meisenhelter, 32, of Shawnee, Kan.

The suspects believed they were corresponding with a 14-year-old girl online, who turned out to be under-cover Clay County Sheriff’s Office detectives. When they attempted to meet the girl in person, deputies arrested them instead.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office actively works to combat human trafficking in the communities it serves and conducts two to three sting operations annually to do so.

In the operation on Aug. 7 and 8, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was part of a coalition of Northland law enforcement agencies who combined efforts to fight this crime. The Clay, Clinton, Platte, and Ray County sheriffs and the Kearney Police Department each hosted a proactive counter-trafficking operation in their jurisdiction. They were assisted substantially by the Cameron Police, Richmond Police, Kansas City International Airport Police, Kansas City, Kan., Police, and Riverside Police Departments, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Social Services - State Technical Assistance Team, and Homeland Security Investigations. Technical assistance was provided by the Bourbon County (KS) Sheriff, Butler County (KS) Sheriff, Goodyear (AZ) Police, Greenwood County (KS) Sheriff, Mesa (AZ) Police and Peoria (AZ) Police.

This operation was designed from the beginning to reduce the demand for victimization of victim-survivors of sex trafficking in these communities, connect to and provide critical services and support to these potential victims, and especially deter any suspect attempting to prey upon children who have been enslaved by the commercial sex industry. The total results for this operation were:

• Seven suspects arrested and booked for attempting to buy sex with a child

• Three suspects arrested and booked for attempting to buy sex

• Two suspects arrested for promoting prostitution for recruiting a person to engage in prostitution. One suspect in this case was ultimately booked for kidnapping and sexual assault after excellent work by the investigators revealed additional crimes that were occurring in another jurisdiction. A victim-survivor was recovered and placed into aftercare.

• Eight potential sex trafficking survivors met with local advocates from Value Unconditional and Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery, with technical assistance provided by ICTSOS, a Wichita-based anti-human-trafficking organization. Many of them are now receiving advocacy and aftercare support.

KPGZ News – Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Man's Body Recovered from Missouri River

Clay County Deputies are investigating after the body of a man was discovered in the Missouri River near 210 Highway and Edwards Road late Wednesday night.

According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 8:40 pm, when a couple fishing along the river spotted a body in the water and immediately called 911. Deputies responded to the scene and located the remains of a man on the north side of the river. The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Water Patrol Division assisted with the recovery operation.

Investigators have identified the deceased as 32-year-old Dusenge Y. Mukiza of Kansas City, Kansas. Authorities stated that the individual's next-of-kin were notified before his name was released to the public.

An autopsy has been conducted and revealed no indications of trauma or foul play. The investigation remains ongoing, but officials say there is no evidence at this time to suggest suspicious circumstances surrounding Mukiza's death.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Sheriff’s Office Launches Take Me Home Program

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has implemented a program for people with cognitive or communication disabilities who may need special assistance in times of emergency.

The Take Me Home Program, originally developed by the Pensacola, Fla., Police Department, gathers information that could be of assistance if a person is unable to speak or properly identify themselves, or if they become disoriented or act in a manner that could be misinterpreted by first responders.

The program is entirely voluntary. Loved ones of Clay County residents with cognitive or communication disabilities can sign them up online by submitting identifying information – including a photo – condition or illness, and care-giver contacts.

This information is available in a database that can only be accessed by law enforcement agencies in Clay County. Deputies or officers can query the database or see nearby program participants on a map.

Take Me Home was originally designed for those with conditions that can involve elopement, like dementia or autism. But it can also serve as a way to notify law enforcement of sensory or communication issues should an individual with those conditions come into contact with police.

KPGZ News – Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.