A Republican candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives faces federal drug charges after allegedly conspiring to plant cocaine and Adderall on his political opponent to frame her during the primary campaign.
Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, of Joplin, was charged in federal court with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Ross won the August Republican primary election for House District 161.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, the Joplin Police Department contacted the FBI on July 30 regarding a public corruption investigation.
Investigators said Ross' former campaign manager turned over a black nylon glove provided by Ross containing a small plastic bag of white powder and a pink-and-white capsule. Tests confirmed the powder was cocaine and the capsule was 20 mg of extended-release Adderall, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The former campaign manager told federal agents that Ross sent text messages instructing him to slip the drugs inside the opponent's purse or vehicle while Ross was out of state on vacation.
“Candidates are expected to conduct their campaigns with integrity, honesty, and respect for their opponents, allowing voters to make informed decisions without fear of misinformation or undue influence,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “The Western District of Missouri will continue to uphold fairness, transparency, and integrity in elections and will pursue violations of public trust when warranted.”
Chris Ormerod, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Kansas City field office, emphasized that the investigation aims to protect public trust in the electoral process.
“The conduct alleged in these charges is substantial and serious,” Ormerod said. “Our citizens deserve to know that the election process is done with transparency and fairness.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Joplin Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon.
A criminal complaint is an accusation, not evidence of guilt. Ross is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
