Thomas Ross: Missouri candidate charged with trying to plant cocaine on his political rival

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A candidate seeking election to the Missouri House is facing a federal drug charge after allegedly plotting to plant drugs on his Republican primary rival.

Thomas Ross, 37, is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Court filings allege that in the weeks leading up to the Aug. 4 primary, Ross instructed a campaign manager to plant a small quantity of cocaine and a prescription amphetamine pill on his opponent, Louise Secker.

Ross, who is from Joplin, went on to defeat Secker in the primary race by a margin of only a few dozen votes.

Neither Ross nor the federal public defender’s office representing him immediately responded to requests for comment on Thursday regarding the charges filed Wednesday or his intended plea.

Peter Kinder, Missouri’s Republican Party chairman, urged Ross to withdraw from the contest, characterizing the situation as “serious and deeply troubling.”

An FBI probable cause statement details how a former campaign staffer informed authorities that Ross supplied him with a black nylon glove holding a pink and white capsule alongside a small plastic bag of white powder. Investigators said Ross told the manager to place the drugs inside Secker’s purse or vehicle while Ross was away on vacation. Testing later verified the materials were cocaine and Adderall.

The FBI filing indicates Ross sent several text messages to the staff member concerning “the substance.” In one message, Ross wrote that he hoped “that we could make it happen” before Secker attended a Republican women’s gathering at a restaurant in Joplin, “which would be extreme egg on the face,” according to the FBI document.

Highlighting the importance of voter faith in democratic contests, U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price addressed the case.

“Candidates are expected to conduct their campaigns with integrity, honesty, and respect for their opponents,” Price said.