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.

Bulldog Softball Returns to KPGZ

102.7FM KPGZ is excited to announce radio coverage of Kearney High School home softball games is returning to the Bulldog Radio Network this fall. This will be the second season the radio station has covered softball games.

Bulldog radio network announcers Kelly Gentry and Eric Stevens will be calling the home softball games beginning at 5 pm on Wednesday, September 3, when the Bulldogs face the Blue Springs Wildcats.

“We had great success announcing Bulldog softball games last fall,” said 102.7FM general manager Brian Watts. “We are excited to have Bulldog softball to KPGZ, and that our listeners are enthusiastic to have the softball games on the radio.”

Parents and fans requested softball and baseball games to be broadcast on the radio station last year, and KPGZ was able to work on the details and produce quality game broadcasts for fans.

Bulldog sports game broadcasts bring a vast audience to the radio station. Broadcasts of high school sports bring double or triple the listening audience to 102.7FM. The station now broadcasts football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball to a wide audience around the world on the radio, their website 1027KearneyMO.com and the KPGZ mobile app, as well as their sister station KearneyCountry.com.

Sponsorship spaces, including shoutout messages from family and friends are still available and can be reserved now by calling Brian Watts at 816-826-1111.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Hanaway Appointed Missouri’s Next Attorney General

Catherine L. Hanaway. Photo: governor.mo.gov

Governor Mike Kehoe announced at the Missouri State Capitol on Tuesday, August 19, the appointment of Catherine L. Hanaway as the next Attorney General for the State of Missouri. Hanaway will fill the vacancy left by Andrew Bailey, who is set to become the Co-Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hanaway’s appointment marks a historic milestone as she becomes both the first woman to serve as Missouri’s Attorney General and the first major statewide office appointee under the Kehoe Administration. She will officially assume the office on September 8, 2025, the same day Bailey is sworn in at the FBI.

Governor Kehoe praised Hanaway’s extensive experience and legal acumen, saying, “The role of Attorney General is incredibly significant for state government, serving as the chief legal officer of the state, and there is not a more qualified person to serve Missourians as our next Attorney General than Catherine Hanaway. A former U.S. Attorney, Catherine is a talented, trusted prosecutor who has a passion for enforcing the rule of law. Congratulations to Catherine Hanaway, Missouri’s 45th Attorney General.” Kehoe also lauded Bailey’s leadership and new federal appointment, adding that Bailey’s career has been marked by strong service to both the state and nation and is a reflection of a commitment to law and order.

Catherine Hanaway brings a wealth of experience to her new position. She is currently a Partner at Husch Blackwell in St. Louis, where she has handled complex legal matters in state and federal court and previously led the firm as its first woman Chair. Hanaway also served as the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, being the only woman to have held that title. Her background includes significant federal experience as the chief law enforcement officer for the Eastern District of Missouri, where as U.S. Attorney she oversaw more than 4,000 criminal, affirmative, and defensive civil cases, personally trying cases to jury verdicts, and helping to develop new strategies in criminal prosecution.

In remarks following her appointment, Hanaway expressed gratitude for the opportunity and trust placed in her by Governor Kehoe. “It is a humbling honor to be selected for this role, and a duty I do not take lightly,” she said. “Attorney General Bailey has done an incredible job fighting for Missourians, and I am eager to get to work on behalf of Missourians to uphold the rule of law, protect the Constitution, and ensure a strong future for our state.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Wanted Fugitive Arrested After Brief I-35 Standoff

Kearney police arrested a wanted fugitive on Monday, August 11, after a brief standoff that temporarily shut down northbound Interstate 35.

Officers were alerted by another agency that a 47-year-old Mooresville man, wanted by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, might be traveling through the area. The suspect was wanted on felony charges of first-degree rape and first-degree statutory rape of a juvenile under 14, who is a family member.

Police located the suspect driving a semi-truck northbound on I-35 near 92 Highway and initiated a traffic stop. Authorities say the driver refused to exit the vehicle and barricaded himself for several minutes before surrendering peacefully following negotiations.

Chief Mark Thomas posted on Facebook about the danger of these types of situations, “The suspect was reported to be suicidal as well, which escalated our safety concerns not only for the suspect, but also for our officers.”

The suspect was taken into custody without incident and transported to jail on his outstanding warrants. He is being held without bond.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Missouri State Highway Patrol Urges Back-to-School Safety

As the 2025-2026 school year begins, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding parents, students, and motorists to make safety a top priority. Increased traffic, school buses on the roads, and students walking or biking to school mean drivers should be extra cautious.

In 2024, Missouri saw 843 traffic crashes involving school buses, resulting in seven fatalities and 345 injuries. Troopers hope to prevent future tragedies by encouraging safe habits for everyone on the road.

Safety Tips for Students

• Walking: Use sidewalks when available, cross at marked intersections, and make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street. Avoid distractions like phones or music.

• Biking: Always wear a helmet, ride on the right side, follow traffic signals, and keep both hands on the handlebars.

• School Buses: Wait on the shoulder or sidewalk, use handrails, never retrieve dropped items from under the bus, and cross at least 10 feet in front of it.

For Young Drivers
Most crashes involving drivers under 21 happen between 3 and 4 p.m., when school lets out. Parents should remind teens that driving requires full attention—no texting, phone use, or other distractions. Missouri is a hands-free state, so buckle up and put the phone away.

Parents’ Role
Parents are encouraged to discuss safe travel—whether walking, biking, or driving—with their children. They should also introduce the Courage2ReportMO program, which allows students to anonymously report safety concerns, including bullying, threats, weapons, and mental health crises. Reports can be made via the mobile app, website, phone (866-748-7047), or by texting “C2R” to 738477. The program operates 24/7 with trained professionals.

Tips for Motorists
Drivers should be especially alert near school zones, playgrounds, and crosswalks, and anticipate heavier traffic during morning and afternoon commutes. Missouri law requires vehicles on two-lane roads to stop in both directions when a school bus is loading or unloading children with warning signals activated. On four-lane roads, drivers must stop only when following the bus.

Troopers stress that children can be unpredictable near traffic. Patience, attentiveness, and extra travel time can help ensure a safe start to the school year for everyone.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story