A federal judge has found former Kansas City area builder F. Jeffrey Miller violated the terms of his release from federal prison after hearing evidence Miller was involved in a new real estate scam, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Monday.
In a 16-page order dated Nov. 26, U.S. District Judge Julie A. Robinson cited evidence that Miller lied to his probation officer about his involvement in a company called Tri-States Holding, LLC. She cited “substantial evidence about the fraudulent practices and transactions” by the company.
Miller, 53, will remain in custody awaiting sentencing. Miller was convicted by a jury of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering and criminal contempt. In August 2012, he was sentenced to six years in federal prison. He began supervised release Jan. 10, 2014.
During sentencing hearings, prosecutors submitted evidence that Miller began planning the new business while he was in prison. The business claimed to buy, refurbish and sell houses. In fact, Judge Robinson said in her order, the business was engaged in a “contract for deed scam.”
The company purchased more than 40 houses at Jackson County, Mo., tax sales and then advertised the houses for sale to low-income people in the urban core of Kansas City, Mo. The company advertised home ownership for just $500 down, sweat equity of no more than $2,000 in the form of cosmetic repairs including painting and clean up, and then monthly payments of $399. The buyers signed contracts for purchase prices in the $35,000 range.
Prosecutors presented evidence the company failed to complete promised repairs, performing shoddy repairs or virtually no repairs at all and then harassed and threatened buyers who ceased to make payments.
Judge Robinson ruled Miller violated four conditions of his supervised release by:
• Controlling the new company even though he was prohibited from working in any capacity involving authority in financial matters.
• Telling his probation officer that that he was a mere laborer at the new company when in fact he controlled the company.
• Making false monthly reports to the probation office that he was not committing any federal crimes.
• Making threats of bodily harm to a woman who purchased a house from the new company.
Miller is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 15 in U.S. District Court in Topeka.
In an earlier case, Miller, whose address then was listed as Stanley, Kan., was tried and convicted in a case involving a mortgage fraud scheme. At that time, he was operating a company named Star Land Development.
by Kelly Rogge
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s oldest tradition is returning this week, honoring the holiday season while raising funds for scholarships at the same time.
The 92nd annual Candlelighting Ceremony is at 9 and 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the KCKCC Performing Arts Center on the main campus, 7250 State Ave. Classes will not be held during the 11 a.m. lighting, so that all personnel and students, who wish, can participate in the program. However, the Jewell Center, KCKCC Library and all offices will be open during those hours to serve individuals who choose not to participate in the ceremony.
“The purpose of this event is to celebrate the end of semester and the start of the holiday season,” said Linda Sutton, director of student activities at KCKCC. “It is also a good way to support student scholarships.”
All classes that are scheduled to begin at noon will start 10 minutes after the program has ended to allow students and faculty to time to get to their classrooms.
KCKCC faculty members started the Candlelighting Ceremony in 1923, the year KCKCC was founded. It remains the oldest tradition at KCKCC and serves as an opportunity for students, staff and faculty to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. During that first year, a collection was taken to fund student scholarships. This tradition has continued and over the years, more than $10,000 has been collected for student scholarships at KCKCC. Donations are free will, and members of the Student Senate will be at the doors to the performing arts center with red baskets to accept donations.
At both of the ceremonies, the KCKCC bands and choirs as well as theatre students will perform. There will also be a speaker, Ismael Garcia, at the 11 a.m. service. There is no speaker at the 9 a.m. service. Each service will conclude with holiday carols and the lighting of the candles.
“It’s a tradition that connects the college to its beginning 92 years ago,” Sutton said. “Many people from the community look forward and enjoy this event because they enjoy hearing the band, choir and theatre students. Many retired employees attend as well.”
For more information on the Candlelighting Ceremony, contact Linda Sutton at 913-288-7652 or by email at lsutton@kckcc.edu.
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
Nov. 6
Burglary, criminal damage, 2600 block of Georgia Avenue, knife-cut instrument, screen, television, laptop computer.
Nov. 5
Burglary, criminal damage, 300 block of South 73rd Drive, television, window, $525 value.
Burglary, 2700 block of North 53rd Terrace, video game system, $300 value.
Burglary, 1300 block of North 62nd, television, video game system, $600 value.
Burglary, criminal damage, 1200 block of North 40th, television, VCR, window, $1,400 value.
Burglary, 800 block of Sandusky Avenue, compressor, generator, compressor hose, $1,050 value.
Theft, 2300 block of Central Avenue, four tires, four Honda wheels, $1,600 value.
Theft, 6200 block of Rowland Avenue, Dodge Intrepid, $2,000 value.
Nov. 4
Aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, 1300 block of Custer Avenue, handgun, door frame, tablet, laptop computer, $450 value.
Identity theft, 5700 block of Clark.
Nov. 2
Burglary, criminal damage, 2400 block of North 27th, windows, rifle, DVDs, $1,200 value.
Oct. 30
Forgery, theft by deception, 7900 block of State Avenue, business, computer equipment used, check recovered, $348 value.
Forgery, theft by deception, 7900 block of State Avenue, business, computer equipment used, check recovered, $206 value.
Oct. 29
Theft, 7900 block of New Jersey, Kansas tag, $25 value.
Oct. 26
Forgery, theft, 1600 block of Village West Parkway, computer equipment used, check recovered, $1,107 value.
