Politics
Missouri legislative candidate charged in alleged plot to plant drugs on primary rival
Federal prosecutors accuse Republican Thomas Ross of conspiring to plant cocaine and Adderall on opponent Louise Secker ahead of the primary.
The short version
- Republican Missouri House candidate Thomas Ross has been charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Federal prosecutors allege Ross instructed a campaign manager to plant cocaine and Adderall in the car or purse of primary opponent Louise Secker.
- The plot was reported to police by the campaign manager, leading Missouri Republican Party leadership to demand Ross withdraw from the race.
Key facts
- Thomas Ross, 37, made an initial court appearance on a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.[CBS News · ABC News · Associated Press]
- Ross defeated Louise Secker by 33 votes in the August 4 Republican primary for Missouri's House District 161.[CBS News · ABC News · Associated Press]
- According to court filings, a former campaign manager handed over a glove containing cocaine and Adderall to police alongside text messages discussing the alleged scheme.[CBS News · ABC News · Associated Press]
- Missouri Republican Party Chairman Peter Kinder called for Ross to drop out of the legislative race following the charges.[CBS News · ABC News · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- How Ross intends to plead remains unstated as neither Ross nor the federal public defender's office provided immediate comment.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Whether Ross will comply with party leadership's demand to exit the general election ballot is unknown.[CBS News · Associated Press]