Scammers Pose as Deputies, Target Residents with Fake Documents

Clay County residents have faced a surge in scam attempts over the past month, as relentless fraudsters impersonating deputies from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office have repeatedly called and texted locals in an effort to extort money. The scammers’ tactics include claiming that residents have missed either jury duty or a court date and warning them of an outstanding warrant for their arrest.

Victims report that the callers insist they remain on the phone, threatening that hanging up would constitute breaking the law. The scammers then offer a way out: payment of a so-called “civil bond.” Residents are directed to transfer money through popular apps or deposit funds at a Bitcoin ATM.

In recent weeks, the Sheriff’s Office has also received a notable increase in complaints about fraudulent documents being sent via text message. These documents, crafted to appear official, use information sourced from the internet about the targeted individuals. Authorities emphasize that these texts do not resemble legitimate paperwork issued by the Clay County Circuit Court.

Adding to the sophistication of the scam, reports have emerged in the past two weeks of the Sheriff’s Office main administrative phone number, 816-407-3750, being spoofed. This tactic is intended to make the scam appear more credible to unsuspecting residents. Law enforcement officials urge anyone who receives a suspicious call to verify its authenticity by contacting the Sheriff’s Office directly at their non-emergency number, 816-407-3700.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that deputies will never call to inform someone of an arrest warrant, nor will they demand payment or insist that a person stay on the line.

In Missouri, missing jury duty is considered an offense punishable by a fine, not arrest, and the courts would issue multiple forms of communication before taking any action. Residents are advised to be vigilant, recognize these red flags, and hang up immediately if contacted by someone making such demands.

Officials continue to investigate these scams and urge the community to remain cautious. Anyone who receives a suspicious call or message should report it to the authorities and refrain from providing personal information or sending money.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Project Silhouette Shines Light on Domestic Violence Victims

Shoppers and residents throughout Clay County will see the stories of real domestic violence victims throughout October with the Sheriff’s Office’s new Project Silhouette.

Project Silhouette places five life-sized cut-outs – three women, a man and a child –  at busy businesses and organizations like libraries. Each features the story of a real domestic violence victim, pulled from the Sheriff’s Office’s own criminal reports over the past 12 months. Victims are kept anonymous.

“The goal is to shine a light on the reality of abuse and bring their stories to the forefront – stories that too often go unheard,” Community Engagement Sergeant Megan Blackburn said.

Sergeant Blackburn is spearheading the Project Silhouette initiative during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

For their first week, the silhouettes will be placed in the entrances of the following businesses:

• Hy-Vee, 7117 N. Prospect Ave., Gladstone, Mo.

• Price Chopper, 15700 N. Hwy 169, Smithville, Mo.

• Price Chopper, 701 Watson Dr., Kearney, Mo.

• Wal-Mart, 2203 Patsy Lane, Excelsior Springs, Mo.

• Wal-Mart, 8301 N. Church Road, Kansas City, Mo.

The silhouettes will move to other locations, including libraries, over the course of the month.

“Victims need support, resources, and someone to stand up for them. If Project Silhouette can offer even a small piece of that – if it can make even one person feel seen or safe, provide signs of what to look for – then it’s all been worth it,” Sergeant Blackburn said.

KPGZ News - Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

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.