News

Derone D. Gipson, 44, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for distributing and conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug distribution conspiracy.

John J. Hahn, 47, of Cameron, Mo., and a former member of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club, was sentenced in federal court today for his involvement in an armed assault against a member of a rival motorcycle club.

Ashley Benny, 41, of Bunceton, Mo., a former Cooper County R-IV School District board member,  pleaded guilty in federal court today for her role in a wire fraud scheme that defrauded the school district out of $385,000.

Syed M. Makki, 38, a citizen of India, was sentenced in federal court today to 15½ years in prison without parole for taking part in an elder fraud conspiracy in which victims liquidated savings and retirement accounts to buy gold bars, coins, and cash.  

Holly Mikkelsen, a former parent teacher association treasurer, pleaded guilty to nine counts of bank and wire fraud for stealing more than $100,000 from a Kansas City, Mo. school PTA.

Berk Balgic, 26, of Turkey, pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to reside within the U.S. illegally.

Mark A. Cottman, aka “One Shot,” 51, of Kansas City, Mo.,was sentenced in federal court today for his involvement in separate assaults against members of rival motorcycle clubs.

Jose C. Valencia-Soriano, aka Jose C. Soriano-Valencia, 34, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today for providing material support to a Michoacan, Mexico-based cartel which was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). 

Ernesto Dominguez Texas, 31, of Arizona, pleaded guilty in federal court today to defrauding a Kansas City company of over $500,000 in vehicles. 

Michael Smith, 39, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for one count of cyberstalking resulting in death.  

Basil Jacob Kyles, 71, of Columbia, Mo., was charged by a federal grand jury with bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Derrick D. Walker, 31, of Detroit, Mich., was sentenced in federal court for his role in a fraudulent check and identity theft scheme.