Mean Jean Dismisses Charges Against NFL Draft Theft Suspects

Something constant news readers might be forgetting: Kansas City bucks crime trends across the nation. 

In most places, even "blue" urban cities, crime is trending downward. 

Sadly, in KC Proper . . . Our local rate of killing continues to keep pace with historic & record breaking numbers.

And so . . . 

For us . . . 

It's important to notice high profile allegations of stealing at an EPIC Kansas City event were reportedly "dismissed" by the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office. 

Moreover . . . 

DOES ALLEGED NFL DRAFT CRIME DISMISSED ENDANGER OTHER MAJOR EVENTS VISITING KANSAS CITY?!?!

This cowtown claims to host 25 million visitors annually and lately we notice locals worried that worsening public safety will start to impact our tourism business and local economy overall.

For those who don't remember, check initial reporting on the incident: 

TWO SUSPECTS were credentialed for the Draft through a digital media outlet under USC’s journalism school umbrella.

According to police, FORMER SUSPECTS were seen entering “talent waiting room,” with the latter carrying a bag. This bag was “fuller” when they left the room five minutes later.

“These jerseys are used to give to players selected in the first round of the NFL draft and have a very sentimental meaning,” Kansas City police Det. Craig Leach described in the police report. 

More deets . . .

Suspect "faced burglary, stealing and a misdemeanor count of trespassing after NFL officials reported Friday that three NFL jerseys were stolen from the Nike Room of the NFL draft. The jerseys, valued at $350 each, featured the No. 1 on the back and were to be available for the first-round draft picks of the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers."

Now . . .

The narrative for the dismissal doesn't provide much in the way of vindication. 

Thankfully, there's a hint of community concern that MIGHT be part of the conditions for dismissal. 

Sadly . . . The only lesson for the public here is that newsies in training have a lot of leeway. To be fair, this might help TKC get a few discounts . . . Then again, gas stations are much more strict about their coffee refill policy than local prosecutors seem to be about THOUSANDS worth of allegedly stolen merch. 

Here are the basics . . . And a link to the story that hasn't been picked up locally yet:

He doesn’t know why prosecutors dropped the charges except that the students offered to work with their school to produce a video called “Credentials Granted” about the “dos and don’ts of being a sports reporter.”

The two will also perform 40 hours of community service in the Los Angeles area.

The Jackson County district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A screen shot of court records shows the charges were dropped but doesn’t offer any further details.

“I feel as though I can begin to pick up the pieces of my reputation that has been shattered and rebuild what I know I have been placed on this Earth to do, which is to tell stories,” A FORMER SUSPECT said. “I’m just extremely thankful to the Jackson County prosecutor that she decided to dismiss the charges.”

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Charges dropped against USC journalism students accused of stealing NFL jerseys

Eric Lambkins II and Jude Ocañas, who were covering the NFL Draft in April for the school's student-run news outlet, were accused of stealing three jerseys.