Key Takeaways:
– Linus Thuston, a former Neosho County attorney, now confronts six felony charges for perjury and witness intimidation.
– Thuston was previously convicted on misdemeanor charges.
– Several allegations suggest Thuston mishandled his prosecutor role to obtain personal benefits and manipulate legal proceedings.
– Retired sheriff Jim Keath welcomes the new charges, hoping for justice for the numerous victims tied to Thuston’s misconducts.
Thuston’s Fall From Grace
In a significant twist of events, Linus Thuston, a former top attorney in Neosho County, Kansas, has fresh legal troubles. After serving time for misdemeanor convictions, Thuston now faces serious felony charges. The charges of perjury and witness intimidation have cast a severe pall over Thuston’s legal career.
The Specific Charges
Branden Bell, the special prosecutor on the case, made these accusations against Thuston. Bell alleges that Thuston lied during a court testimony last July. This was a part of an opioid drug case Bell was responsible for. The untruths in this instance form the basis for Thuston’s perjury charges.
A Scandal That Shocked All
This case is particularly notorious because of Thuston’s unethical behavior. It was revealed that Thuston had been leaking sensitive information about police investigations. This information went to a confidential source who had been sending nude photos to Thuston. This person was not an official informant, hinting at questionable motives behind Thuston’s actions.
More Unsettling Discoveries About Thuston
Thuston’s unethical practices were not confined to one instance. Local enforcement reported multiple instances of Thuston’s financial and criminal misconduct over the years. But even so, he avoided repercussions from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys for a long time.
The Abuses Mount Up
Investigations revealed that Thuston used his position and a social media account to exploit about 50 women. He persuaded these women to send him explicit images, promising services from his legal practice. This horrific revelation is compounded by the fact that many of these women were also prosecuted by Thuston as the county attorney.
Potential Disrepancies in Diversion Agreements
During Thuston’s tenure, there were accusations that he misused money collected from diversion agreements. Complaints from county commissioners revealed that Thuston couldn’t adequately justify his use of this diverted money. Concerns also arose that Thuston was corruptly exchanging high-dollar diversion payments for generous plea deals. This included cases involving violent crimes, even as serious as child rape.
The Disciplinary Panel’s Ruling
Even after evidence of Thuston’s malpractices became apparent, he faced little formal punishment. In 2022, a disciplinary panel chose not to penalize Thuston for a conflict of interest violation. Thuston had managed to garner letters of support from the community, which played a significant role in this decision. It later transpired that Thuston had coerced Teresa Starr, the county health director, into going along with one of these letters, which he himself had written.
Recent Events Put Thuston in the Spotlight Again
While Thuston was still the county attorney, he testified in a preliminary hearing for an opioid drug case. His deposition included an acknowledgement that he received explicit photos from an off-the-books informant. Upon hearing this, the special prosecutor questioned Thuston about the seriousness of lying in relation to a felony offense. Tvuston responded, saying that lying could potentially be a felony.
The Path Forward
The court is now being requested to produce a charging affidavit. This will provide more clarity on the evidence against Thuston in the six felony charges levied at him. These charges, brought forward by the special prosecutor, are separate from the investigations conducted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.