According to the United States Department of Justice, 25 year old Kahvaseon Z. Smith, and 26 year old Janaia R. Cason, 26, both of Columbia, Missouri, and 26 year old Kentrail M. Collins, of Kansas City, Missouri were charged in a 12-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri on Tuesday, February 6th.
The federal indictment alleges that Smith, Cason, and Collins participated in a conspiracy to commit a series of armed robberies from January 5th, 2023, to January 8th, 2023. In addition to the conspiracy, they are each charged together in five counts of robbery and five counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
The indictment alleges that Smith, Cason, and Collins committed armed robberies at convenience stores in Columbia, Boonville, and Oak Grove on January 5th, 2023, and at the Casey’s at 5869 N. Main in Joplin, and Lamarti's Truck Stop in Lamar, on January 8th, 2023.
Collins is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Collins allegedly possessed a Taurus 9mm pistol on January 9th, 2023. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Collins has felony convictions for burglary, robbery and resisting arrest.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan A. Baker. It was investigated by the FBI, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Boonville, Mo., Police Department, the Oak Grove, Mo., Police Department, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Barton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
