Missouri GOP House Candidate Charged with Plot to Plant Drugs on Primary Opponent
Thomas Christopher Ross, who won the Republican primary for Missouri House District 161, was indicted on a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after allegedly attempting to plant cocaine and Adderall in his opponent's car.
A federal indictment was filed Wednesday against Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, the Republican candidate who won the primary for Missouri House District 161 in Joplin. Prosecutors allege Ross conspired to place cocaine and an Adderall tablet in the vehicle of his primary rival, Louise Secker, in an effort to damage her campaign.
According to the criminal complaint, Ross’s campaign manager reported the scheme to police in July, providing a bag of cocaine and an Adderall pill that were later confirmed as genuine. Text messages between the manager and Ross, dating back to May, discussed the plan, including a May 31 message in which Ross wrote, "I was hoping we could make it happen before THIS Thursday...".
The FBI assisted the investigation, supplying a covert recorder that captured a July 31 meeting where the manager asked Ross if he still wanted the drugs planted. Ross allegedly replied that he could "call in an anonymous tip that Secker had drugs in her car" and urged the manager to "pull it off" if possible.
Ross defeated Secker by 33 votes in the primary and was set to face Democrat Aaron Metzger in the November general election. After the indictment, Missouri Republican Party Chairman Peter Kinder called on Ross to withdraw, stating that voters deserve trustworthy leadership. Ross has not entered a plea; a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Metzger described the development as "disappointing" and said it reinforced his decision to run, citing a broader pattern of unethical behavior among politicians. Secker’s attorney declined to comment on the investigation.