Missouri House candidate charged in plot to plant drugs on Republican primary opponent

By: Steph Quinn

Outlets: Missouri Independent

Published: September 3, 2026

Words: 504

Last Updated: 1 week ago

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A Republican legislative candidate in Joplin plotted to plant cocaine and Adderall on his primary opponent in an effort to derail her campaign, federal prosecutors allege.

Thomas Ross, who won the Republican nomination for Missouri’s 161st House District by only 32 votes, was charged Wednesday with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

A criminal complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri alleges Ross spent weeks discussing …

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