Search warrant served in Cass County

Yesterday around 5 p.m., Cass County detectives assigned to the Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (WMICAC) served a search warrant in rural Pleasant Hill, regarding Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). They arrested 29-year-old Jeremiah Ordonez.

He’s charged with six felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography (B Felony). Ordonez is also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (D Felony).

He’s currently being held at the Cass County Jail on a $200,000 cash only bond. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Team assisted in the service of this search warrant.

The Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children (WMICAC) Task Force is spearheaded by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and consists of personnel from agencies within Cass, Johnson, Bates, Henry, Saline, Lafayette, and Pettis counties. WMICAC is an affiliate of the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (MOICAC).

How many more times?

On 1/3/25, a Deputy on routine patrol, observed a vehicle fail to yield for a stop sign. The Deputy initiated a traffic stop for the violation. The vehicle was occupied by two male subjects. The Driver was identified as Robert D Gillispie. Mr. Gillispie is very well known by all the Deputies. 

Mr. Gillispie is out on bond and has at least 8 pending cases in the 27th District Court that range from assault to trafficking narcotics. Mr. Gillispie's behavior during the traffic stop led the Deputy to believe there was illegal activity going on, leading the Deputy to gain consent to search the vehicle.

Upon the search, the Deputy recovered approximately 43 grams of a white crystal substance that tested positive for Methamphetamine. Mr. Gillispie was taken into custody where he advised the Deputy that the Methamphetamine was his and not the passenger's.

Mr. Gillispie has a long history of narcotics use and distribution of Methamphetamines. His regularly scheduled court hearing for his many previous arrests is January 27, 2025. Mr. Gillispie has been released previously from the Bates County Jail to get treatment at a rehabilitation center.

"Mr. Gillispie is an example of a career criminal. He has had many opportunities to get clean and become a productive member of society. This community is fed up with him dealing drugs to others and I look forward to the day that he can be remanded to the Department of Corrections. 

Until then, he has a home with us here at the Bates County Jail. He is no longer just ruining his life, but the lives of many others and their families. Drugs rob people of their loved ones and we will continue to do our part in taking the drug dealers off the streets of Bates County" Says Sheriff Chad Anderson.

Robert D Gillispie of Butler Mo was charged once again with Trafficking Drugs in the 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Obituary - Donald Lee McDaniel

Donald Lee McDaniel, age 88, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott. He was born September 17, 1936, in Fort Scott, the son of Andrew Galen McDaniel and Donna May Stephens McDaniel. Don served in the U. S. Army from 1959 until 1961. He married Barbara Wolfe on December 23, 1959. 

She preceded him in death on May 21, 2013. Don retired from the Postal Service after 28 years of service. Because of his evening work schedule, Don cherished morning breakfasts and late-night bowls of ice cream with family. He enjoyed farming, working on cars, and watching PGA golf on tv. He had great affection for all animals, especially the family dogs. 

He liked walking in Walmart, catching up with friends. He also helped care for many foster children over a 10-year time span while adopting 2.

Survivors include 3 sons, Randall McDaniel, Carthage, MO, Ricky McDaniel, Fort Scott, KS, and Ronald McDaniel, Pittsburg, KS; 3 daughters, Patricia Flanigan, Carthage, MO, Jeanise Malone, Fort Scott, and Tanya Lockwood, Fort Scott; 16 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren, with one on the way; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Mark McDaniel; 2 brothers, Andrew “Junior” McDaniel and Robert McDaniel; 2 sisters, infant Rosalee McDaniel, and Silva May Modica; and his parents.

Pastor Ben Heffernan will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Friday, January 3rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to the Bethel Church Building Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary - Edward E. Owen

Edward E. Owen, age 67, Mound City, Kansas passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2024. He was born on August 9, 1957 in Kansas City, Kansas the son of Glenn and Ola Jean Caffee Owen. 

Ed was a self employed contractor. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Lucas Owen, and a grandson, Abel Owen.

He is survived by three daughters, Christy Burk, Estell Owen, and Ashley Owen, a brother, Glenn Owen Jr, three sisters, Sandy Harding, Paula Owen, and Melody VanDyke, fifteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ed Owen Memorial Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kansas 66075.

Arrest made overnight in Butler

Around 3:00 a.m. this morning a Butler Police Officer was patrolling when he noticed a SUV sitting behind the on County Mart Building on Ft. Scott Street. 

After officers made contact with the driver it was determined that he had several traffic warrants out of Polk County and Clay County.

The driver who was identified as 22 year old Trevon Miller of Springfield, Missouri was taken into custody. He was booked into the Bates County Jail in Butler and he is currently listed as bondable. 

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Obituary - Bonnie Lou Smith

Bonnie Lou Smith, age 96, Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Funeral service will be 1:30 pm Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton, Kansas. 

Burial will be in the Pleasanton Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Tuesday, January 7, at the Pleasanton Chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to PSU Trade Scholarships, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kansas 66075. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Arrest made after pursuit in Belton

Today around 12:45 p.m., a Cass County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a driver on traffic related charges in Belton.

The driver then began fleeing for a few moments before getting out of the vehicle on Mark Ln.

He fled on foot until Belton Police found him at Monroe Ave. and N. Cleveland Ave. Deputies arrested the suspect and he’s currently at the Cass County Jail with charges pending.