Missouri GOP Candidate Charged With Plot to Plant Drugs on Rival
Thomas Christopher Ross was supposed to run a clean campaign. Instead, he faces federal charges for a plot to plant drugs on his opponent. The story unfolded last month during the Republican primary for Missouri House District 161. Ross beat his rival, Louis Secker, by less than three dozen votes. Now, the man who won the nomination is in court. According to NBC News, a single charge of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance was filed against him on Thursday.
The person Ross allegedly asked to do this was his own former campaign manager. That manager contacted authorities to stop the scheme. Ross allegedly wanted the drugs planted in Secker’s car or purse. He was on vacation in South Carolina when he sent the orders. The plan was to frame Secker while Ross was away in Myrtle Beach. This is where it changes. The manager did not play along. They gave police a black nylon glove Ross provided in June. Tests later showed the glove held cocaine and Adderall.
The evidence includes text messages Ross sent while on vacation. He asked his manager about “getting the substance of the matter sorted this week”. He followed up with another text: “Any luck with the substance of the matter? I wont be gone much longer”. Ross allegedly handed the black glove to his manager to stash on Secker’s property. The glove contained a plastic bag with white powder and a pink-and-white capsule.
R. Matthew Price, serving as the US Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, addressed the issue. He said, “The American people deserve confidence in an electoral process that has served our nation for generations”. The campaign manager later contacted the Joplin Police Department. They informed the FBI of the public corruption matter. Washington Examiner reports that testing verified the materials were cocaine, amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine 20 mg extended release.
The state GOP chairman did not hold back on his reaction. Peter Kinder called the allegations “serious and deeply troubling”. Ross was told he must withdraw from the race without delay. Kinder stated that holding the Republican nominee spot for public office entails a duty to the community, voters, and party principles. … Fox News Politics quoted him saying that due to the situation’s gravity, the correct path forward is obvious.
Chris Ormerod, a special agent in charge of the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office, also weighed in. He stated, “The conduct alleged in these charges are substantial and serious”. Ross made his initial court appearance Thursday in Springfield. He faces one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Under Missouri election law, Ross has until Sept. 8 to voluntarily withdraw his name from the November general election ballot.