Missouri State House Candidate Charged With Trying To Plant Cocaine on His Primary Opponent

A Republican candidate for the Missouri House is facing a federal drug charge as prosecutors allege that he sought to plant cocaine on his political opponent. In a statement on Thursday, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri said that Thomas Christopher Ross, who beat out Louise Secker for the Republican Party’s nomination for Missouri’s 161st House District by just 32 votes last month, was charged with conspiring to distribute a controlled substance.The indictment says that Mr. Ross’ former campaign manager told law enforcement he was given a “black nylon glove” with a “small, plastic bag” inside the glove that contained a “small amount of white powder.” The indictment says a cocaine test kit “indicated a positive match for cocaine.” Prosecutors say the bag also contained a white and pink capsule. Mr. Ross allegedly told him to place the drugs in Ms. Secker’s car or purse.Mr. Ross sent text messages to his campaign manager, stating that he hoped “you all are having success knocking doors and getting the substance of the matter sorted this week,” the complaint says. Prosecutors say the FBI gave the campaign manager a recording device. During a July 31 meeting, the campaign manager asked Mr. Ross if he still wanted him to “try” to plant the drugs, to which the candidate responded, “If you can pull it off…pull it off,” the complaint says. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, R. Matthew Price, said in a statement, “Candidates are expected to conduct their campaigns with integrity, honesty, and respect for their opponents, allowing voters to make informed decisions without fear of misinformation or undue influence.”After news of Ross’ arrest, the chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, Peter Kinder, said in a statement that he is “deeply troubled to learn of the arrest of Thomas Ross.”“Given the seriousness of this situation, I believe the right course of action is clear,” Mr. Kinder said. “I am calling on Mr. Ross to immediately withdraw his candidacy and step down as the Republican nominee for House District 161. The people of Southwest Missouri deserve nothing less than leadership they can trust.”Mr. Ross did not respond to The New York Sun’s request for comment by the time of publication.

Missouri State House Candidate Charged With Trying To Plant Cocaine on His Primary Opponent

Missouri State House Candidate Charged With Trying To Plant Cocaine on His Primary Opponent

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