Kansas City Crime Scene: Hip-Hop, Creepers & Cold Cases

Kansas City's crime crisis persists despite political battles over police funding. And so for early morning readers we take a moment to catch up on police action, mug shots, cold cases and all manner of news relate to rising crime throughout the metro.

Take a look . . .

Hip-Hop Killer Convicted

Man pleads guilty to shooting death of Kansas City rapper

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Monday after he admitted that he shot and killed a Kansas City rapper in 2015. Derius Taylor, 32, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 20-year-old Dominique Stafford, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office said.

Cold Case Questions Emerge

Mom wants answers on why suspect still not charged in son's 2018 KCK killing

The mom of a man murdered in 2018 wants answers from the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office about why her son's killer has not been charged, even though she says a suspect has been identified and she believes police have put together a solid case.

CREEPER EARNS LIFE IN JAIL!!!

Former KCK school resource officer sentenced to life in prison for child sex crimes, rape

NORTON, KS (KCTV) -- A former Kansas City, Kansas school resource officer has been sentenced to life in prison for child sex crimes and rape. According to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, 32-year-old Mark Scheetz was sentenced for two Jessica's Law counts of aggravated criminal sodomy with a child younger than 14 years of age and two counts of rape.

Road Rage Consequences

Kansas City man sentenced to 15 years in prison in death of man thrown from truck on I-435

A 22-year-old Kansas City man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in the November 2019 death of Steve Norris, who was thrown from the back of a truck on Interstate 435 near Oldham Road.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said Skylar K.

Tragic Postscript

Coroner confirms body of missing 12-year-old Kansas City boy found in Indiana river

The Lake County Indiana Coroner and the Hammond Police Department have confirmed the body of a Kansas City 12-year-old boy who wandered away from a hotel has been found in the Little Calumet River.The Hammond Police Department said early Tuesday morning that a volunteer kayaker found a body just after 8:15 p.m.

KCK Gunfire Cont'd

Police identify 25-year-old victim killed in Kansas City, Kansas double shooting

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Police in Kansas City, Kansas have now identified the victim killed in a double shooting Tuesday afternoon. The shooting was reported just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday near South 29th Street and Strong Avenue in KCK's Argentine neighborhood. When officers arrived on scene they located two men injured from a shooting outside of a residence.

SUBURBAN CASH CRUNCH!!!

Authorities looking for suspect following bank robbery on 3rd Street in Lee's Summit

LEE'S SUMMIT, MO (KCTV) -- The FBI's Kansas City Division is investigating a bank robbery that happened in Lee's Summit on Monday. The FBI said it happened around 1:40 p.m. at the Security Bank of Kansas City branch that's located at 1101 SW 3rd St.

Rape Case Push Back 

Woman Uses Archaic Kansas Law to Seek Justice, After Prosecutor Called Her Alleged Rape 'Immature Sex'

A recent college graduate is using an archaic 19th-century law as the ultimate fuck you to the prosecutor who refused to charge her alleged rapist with sexual assault. Madison Smith, 22, says she was assaulted by a classmate in a Bethany College dorm room in 2018.

Show-Me Tech Tracking Trouble

Report shows that Missouri crime and safety is tricky matter

When the evil dentist in "Marathon Man" asks the movie's reluctant hero a simple question - "Is it safe?" - the hero is not sure how to answer. On that note, welcome to the latest report from SafeWise, a personal and home security website that just issued its list of " Missouri's 20 Safest Cities in 2021."

Northland Catch & Release FAIL

Court releases man accused of kidnapping child at gunpoint, despite having "major concern" for child's safety

CLAY COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- A Clay County court lowered the bond of a Kansas City man accused of kidnapping a child at gunpoint, despite the court having "major concern" for the safety of the child and her mother.

Suburbs Fight Sleaze

Police warning others after thieves target moms at Lee's Summit park, stealing credit cards

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - Summer break is here for many families. In Lee's Summit, police are asking parents to be cautious while at the park. In the last month, three people now say wallets were stolen out of their cars at Lowenstein Park.

Partnership Helps Survivors

Relentless Pursuit, KCPD partner to change how sex-trafficking survivors are helped

Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery was created to help support law enforcement and nonprofits in the fight to end commercial sexual exploitation. Kansas City, Missouri, Police already have joined efforts with RPOR to change how they help victims of sex trafficking in the city.

Developing . . .