Missouri Republican House candidate Thomas Ross was arrested Wednesday after prosecutors accused him of conspiring to plant cocaine and Adderall on his primary opponent, Louise Secker, according to court documents. The alleged scheme, which involved Ross's former campaign manager, was uncovered after the Joplin Police Department alerted the FBI in late July.
Alleged plot to frame opponent
In June, Ross allegedly gave his former campaign manager, identified only as “CS” in court documents, a bag of cocaine and Adderall. The two devised a plan for the former manager to stash the drugs in Secker’s purse or vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.
Text messages cited by prosecutors show Ross asking for an update on 21 June: “Taking it no luck with the substance of it all?” Authorities say “substance” was a euphemism for the narcotics.
The former manager replied, “I am actually creeping down to the car show right now and seeing if I can see your car. I have had it on me for a couple days in order to be able to take full advantage of any opportunity that arises.” The manager added, “I thought I had it at the forum Walter went to, but never got close [and] car was locked.”
FBI involvement and charges
The Joplin Police Department alerted the Federal Bureau of Investigation on 30 July to a public corruption matter, though it remains unclear how police first learned of the alleged scheme. The next day, the FBI provided the former campaign manager with a covert recording device, which was used to capture a conversation with Ross.
In that recording, the former manager offered to call in an anonymous tip about drugs in Secker’s car and asked if Ross wanted it done. Ross replied, “If you can pull it off … pull it off.”
Ross has been charged with conspiring to distribute a controlled substance. It is unclear whether the former campaign manager will face charges as well.
Political fallout and calls to withdraw
Secker did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment. Ross defeated Secker in August by a razor-thin margin of just 33 votes in the Republican primary for House District 161, which includes Joplin, a city about 70 miles west of Springfield. The incumbent, Republican Lane Roberts, is not seeking reelection.
Missouri Republican Party chair Peter Kinder called on Ross to withdraw from the race. “While Mr. Ross is entitled to due process and the facts surrounding this matter must be allowed to come to light, the circumstances of his arrest are serious and deeply troubling,” Kinder said in a statement. “The people of the 161st District deserve a nominee who can devote his full attention to earning their trust and representing their interests in Jefferson City.”
