NTRC Trap Shoot Returns Aug. 22

The Northland Therapeutic Riding Center Charity Trap Shoot is making its return this summer, giving participants a chance to take aim for a good cause while supporting equine-assisted services for children and adults with disabilities in the community.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Kansas City Trapshooters Association in Smithville. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., with competition starting at 9 a.m. Shooters may register as a full team of five or sign up individually and be placed with a team.

The competition will include singles, doubles and handicap events. Registration is $65 per shooter for one event or $150 per shooter for all three events. Participants may also enter an optional Annie Oakley game for $25 per shooter.

LC’s Hamburgers will be on-site throughout the event, with brunch and lunch available for purchase.

The trap shoot will also mark the final opportunity to enter NTRC’s Florida raffle. The winner will be drawn live during the event, though participants do not need to attend the trap shoot or be present during the drawing to win. You can register for the trap shoot or Florida raffle at NorthlandTherapeuticRiding.org.

The raffle prize includes a seven-night oceanfront stay in Ormond Beach, Florida, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 7, 2026, plus $500 toward travel or vacation expenses. Tickets are $25 each or five for $100.

Proceeds from registrations and raffle ticket sales will help NTRC continue providing equine-assisted services to children and adults with disabilities.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Steward Earns Two More All-American Honors

Kearney High School Class of 2026 graduate Whitaker Steward has added two more All-American honors to one of the most accomplished swimming careers in Missouri high school history.

The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association recognized Whitaker as an All-American in the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle. These honors are awarded to swimmers whose performances rank among the top 100 nationwide.

Whitaker holds the Missouri Class 1 record in the 200 freestyle and the all-class state record in the 500 freestyle. The latest awards make him a six-time All-American.

He concluded his KHS career as the most decorated swimmer in Missouri state history, earning seven individual state championships and twice being named the state’s Swimmer of the Year.

Whitaker’s next challenge begins Sunday, when he travels to compete at the USA Swimming National Championships. The meet features many of the fastest swimmers in the country, including Olympians. Whitaker is scheduled to compete in five events during the July 28-Aug. 1 competition before beginning his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee.

KPGZ  News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Prosecutor Seeks Public’s Help Locating Wanted Defendant

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating a defendant who is wanted on an active arrest warrant in a pending criminal case.

The case is part of an ongoing public information series highlighting individuals on the Clay County Top Ten Most Wanted List. Officials say the effort is intended to locate defendants who are legally required to appear in court but have not done so, allowing pending cases to move forward through the legal process.

The Court has issued an arrest warrant for Charlotte Elliott who is charged with Terrorist Threat in the 1st Degree.

Anyone with information about Elliott’s whereabouts is asked to contact Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers or their local law enforcement agency. Tips submitted through Crime Stoppers may be made anonymously, and information that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.

To be eligible for the reward, tips must be submitted through Crime Stoppers. Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers accepts tips by phone at 816-474-TIPS (8477), through its website, or through the P3 Tips mobile app. You can find the complete Clay County Top 10 Most Wanted List and information about how to collect the anonymous reward at claycountyprosecutor.com.

Officials urge the public not to attempt to apprehend or contact Elliott. Anyone who sees her or has information about her location should contact law enforcement or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Seven Arrested and Charged in Child Enticement Stings

An operation led by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit during the time FIFA World Cup events took place in the metro area resulted in the arrest of seven men who were attempting to engage in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl.

The child enticement operations took place in June and July. Undercover detectives posed as 15-year-old girls online and engaged in conversation with men who asked to meet them for sex. When they arrived at the designated meet-up spots, deputies arrested them.

“We know human trafficking increases around large events like the World Cup, so we wanted to help disrupt that,” said Sergeant Jeremy Fahrmeier, supervisor of the Special Victims Unit. “But we also know this danger exists right here at home, with the majority of those arrested residing in the metro area.”

The arrests are:

Marvin R. Carillo-Muñoz, 45, of Kansas City, Kan.
Charge: Felony attempted enticement of a minor

Charles A. Farmer, 63, of St. Joseph, Mo.
Charge: Felony attempted enticement of a minor

William C. Grandi, 45, of Kansas City, Mo.
Charge: Felony attempted enticement of a minor

Reginald J. Pittmon, Jr., 23, of Shawnee, Kan.
Charge: Felony attempted enticement of a minor
Additional charges may be forthcoming. Pittmon is a registered Kansas sex offender for sexual exploitation of a minor and fourth-degree child molestation. He also is on probation in Jackson County for possession of child sexual abuse material.

Phillip E. Rivera II, 37, of Kansas City, Mo.
Charge: Felony attempted enticement of a minor

Donald D. Robinson, 60, of Glenmora, La.
Charges: Felony attempted enticement of a child and misdemeanor furnishing pornographic images to a minor

Steven S. Taylor, 48, of Raytown, Mo.
Charges: Felony attempted enticement of a minor and felony second-degree drug trafficking
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting children and holding accountable those who would try to harm them. The Special Victims Unit launched March 1 to further this goal. The Unit primarily investigates sex-based offenses and internet crimes against children.

KPGZ News - Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Man Charged After Pursuit and Alleged Box Cutter Attack

An Independence man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit early Sunday morning and then tried to stab a Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy with a box cutter after the chase ended.

Scott K. Adkins, 59, is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on charges of second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing from law enforcement under Valentine’s Law. His bond has been set at $200,000.

The incident began at 3:52 a.m. Sunday, July 12, when a deputy saw a vehicle speeding and changing lanes without signaling on Interstate 435 near Shoal Creek Parkway, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Dispatchers also confirmed the vehicle’s license plate was registered to a different vehicle.

When the deputy tried to stop the vehicle, the driver fled. Authorities said the vehicle continued at high speed, swerving between lanes and at one point leaving the roadway before striking a yield sign and a low-hanging tree. The vehicle returned to I-435 and continued fleeing until a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper used a tactical vehicle intervention near Cookingham Road to bring it to a stop.

After the pursuit ended, Adkins refused commands to get out of the vehicle, authorities said. Deputies said he was acting erratically and reaching around inside the vehicle, causing officers to fear he may have been trying to find a weapon. Law enforcement attempted to negotiate with him, but he refused to surrender and told officers they would have to kill him.

When Adkins was briefly distracted by his phone, a Clay County deputy broke a vehicle window in an effort to remove him. Authorities said Adkins first swung a bag of mini donuts at the deputy, then thrust an extended box cutter toward the deputy. The deputy was able to avoid being struck, and officers backed away while a Highway Patrol trooper continued negotiations.

During the standoff, authorities said Adkins began drifting in and out of consciousness and then started stabbing himself in the abdomen. A Platte County Sheriff’s Office deputy deployed a Taser, temporarily immobilizing him. Clay County deputies then removed Adkins from the vehicle and took him into custody.

Adkins was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where officials said medical staff determined his self-inflicted wounds were superficial. Deputies later found six box cutters inside the vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Office said additional charges for driving while intoxicated could be possible pending lab results, because Adkins’ behavior during the incident indicated he may have been impaired by illegal narcotics.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.