He’s additionally charged with one count of armed criminal action and two counts of fraud involving a credit or debit device.
The latest charges stem from the fatal shooting in November 2021 of Stephon D. Johnson, whose body was found stuffed inside of a closet in his apartment in midtown Kansas City, Mo. Investigators found he had been shot in the back of the head.
Missouri could be one step closer to allowing legal sports gambling.
Under legislation proposed by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, betting on sports would be permitted in-state at casinos and over the internet.
“Currently, any sports book betting that’s done in Missouri right now is technically done illegally,” said Luetkemeyer. “We know that people are placing bets illegally on sports book betting.”
Outside of black-market bookies, sports betting became more widespread following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that opened up a variety of new and legal digital avenues to place bets.
Luetkemeyer said the high court gave state legislatures the power to implement sports wagering.
“My legislation makes sure people are not placing illegal bets in Missouri, we know that’s happening,” he said. “It also allows the state to generate more revenue by making it legal.”
Currently, there are 14 states that allow for live, legal, single-game sports wagering, according to the American Gaming Association. Of those, two border Missouri, Arkansas and Iowa. In addition, six states have enacted sports gaming but have yet to implement it into law.
