Missouri House Candidate Charged in Plot to Plant Drugs on Rival

A Missouri House candidate made his initial court appearance Thursday on a federal charge alleging he conspired to plant drugs on his Republican primary opponent. Thomas Ross, 37, of Joplin, is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, according to court documents.

Ross narrowly defeated Louise Secker in the August 4 primary by a few dozen votes. The charge was filed Wednesday, and Ross has not yet commented on the case. The federal public defender's office assigned to his case has not indicated how he plans to plead.

A former campaign manager told law enforcement that Ross gave him a black nylon glove containing a small plastic bag of white powder and a pink-and-white capsule, instructing him to place it in Secker's purse or vehicle while Ross was out of state. Tests later identified the substances as cocaine and Adderall.

An FBI affidavit details text messages from Ross expressing hope the plan would be carried out before Secker attended a Republican women's meeting in June, which he said would be "extreme egg on the face." Missouri Republican Party Chairman Peter Kinder called on Ross to withdraw from the race, calling the circumstances "serious and deeply troubling."

U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price stressed that voters deserve confidence in elections, adding that candidates are expected to run campaigns with integrity and respect for opponents.