Two KC men charged in federal court, accused of robbing family at gunpoint in March
Two Kansas City men face federal charges, accused of robbing a family at gunpoint, according to federal prosecutors.
Cameron E. Scott and Chase M. Murphy, both 19, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, one count of armed robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of stealing a firearm and one count of possessing a stolen firearm, according to the Office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. They were charged in U.S. District Court on Monday.
Murphy also was charged recently in a different case involving business robberies.
The criminal charges were filed in connection with the ongoing Operation LeGend, an anti-violent crime initiative where hundreds of federal law enforcement agents collaborate with local authorities to curb crime and gun violence.
The operation has expanded to other cities in the United States and is named after 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was fatally shot in late June while sleeping at a Kansas City apartment.
Scott, Murphy and a third man are accused of robbing four adults and three minors at gunpoint on March 22, according to the affidavit.
The men allegedly forced their way inside a home in the 8100 block of Wayne Avenue and demanded money and marijuana from the victims while pointing guns at them. They held one victim at gunpoint, according to the affidavit.
They are accused of stealing $450, a rifle and a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol before leaving, according to the affidavit.
Prosecutors say the men drove to the 9200 block of Indiana Avenue and went inside a home. Later, the unidentified man left and drove away. Officers tried to follow him but lost sight.
Officers saw Scott and Murphy leaving the back of the home. They fled after officers announced themselves. According to the affidavit, they were later seen walking near trees near 93rd Street and Grandview Road. When officers approached, Scott and Murphy fled again. Officers later found them hiding in a creek bed.
After searching the home on Indiana, officers found a black suitcase with a pistol that matched the description of the stolen firearm and a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol, according to the affidavit.
The Kansas City Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.
Gun violence will be the subject of a new, statewide journalism project The Star is undertaking in Missouri this year in partnership with the national service program Report for America and sponsored in part by Missouri Foundation for Health. As part of this project, The Star will seek the community’s help.
To contribute, visit Report for America online at reportforamerica.org.
