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Zachary Thompson Clay County Prosecutor

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Liberty, MO
Zachary Thompson Clay County Prosecutor

Strengthening the rule of law by protecting the community from lawbreakers, pursuing truth, seeking justice, and fighting for victims of crime.

This is the official page of the Clay County, Missouri Prosecutor's Office. The primary objective of this page is to disseminate information about the office to individuals who reside or work in Clay County or have an interest in the Prosecutor's Office. In addition, it serves as a platform for engagement with the office. The Community Engagement Specialist and other employees of the Clay County Prosecutor's Office monitor and manage this page. This office is bound by ethical obligations under the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct when determining what material may be displayed. Prior to posting on this page, please review the terms and conditions. By posting on this page, you are consenting to the following terms:

• In case of an emergency or if police assistance is required, dial 911.
• Please refrain from using this page to report a crime. Instead, contact your local law enforcement agency.
• Posting information related to a crime on this page may result in your becoming a witness in court proceedings.
• The act of the Clay County Prosecutor's Office "liking" other organizations' or users' pages does not signify endorsement of that organization or individual's actions or comments.
• The comments made by others on the Clay County Prosecutor's page are not to be taken as the opinion of the Prosecutor's Office, nor does the Prosecutor's Office endorse any third-party comments on this page.
• The Clay County Prosecutor's Office retains the right to remove and/or block any individual who posts inappropriate content as determined by the office. Refer to the examples of inappropriate material below:
• The posting of photos or videos by individuals other than members of the Prosecutor's Office is not permitted.
• If you would like to share photos or videos on this page, please email them to [email protected]. The Clay County Prosecutor's Office values an individual's right to express their opinion and encourages posters to keep comments related to the content on this page. The office reserves the right to remove any comments that are inappropriate or offensive, including comments that:

• Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten, or violate the legal rights of others.
• Posts that include slander, threats, obscenity, violence, vulgarity, or s*xual content.
• Spam, advertise, solicit commerce, or promote or encourage illegal activity.
• Promote, foster, or perpetuate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, national origin, gender or s*x, s*xual orientation, or disability.
• Contain personal information about another person or violate a person's privacy.
• Include copyrighted material that belongs to another person or entity or contain links to inappropriate websites.
• Contain confidential information or information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or any member of the Clay County Prosecutor's Office.

10/16/2026

Prison Time for Fleeing

On Tuesday, Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Benjamin secured a 3-year prison sentence for Defendant Cody Holcomb, for the felony of Aggravated Fleeing (Valentine’s Law).

The sentence comes after an incident that began last October. Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to pull over a maroon Chevrolet Trax that matched the description of a vehicle that had resisted another law enforcement agency earlier the same day. When deputies activated their lights and sirens, the Trax sped away heading south on I-35. The Trax reached speeds above 90 MPH in a 70 MPH zone.

The pursuit continued south, with the Trax endangering several other drivers by passing too closely in the rain, and reaching a speed of approximately 98 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, before exiting onto NE Vivion road. The Trax then turned into a residential neighborhood, without stopping at stop signs or a red light. Near the intersection of N Oakley Avenue and NE 48th Street, officers initiated a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) and ended the pursuit. Holcomb was taken into custody without further incident.

We thank the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff's Office, the Court, and our Assistant Prosecutors for their work and collaboration in ensuring our roadways remain safe for all.

State of Missouri v. Cody Holcomb
Case no. 25CY-CR03143-01

10/15/2026

Defendant Charged for Assault on Special Victim

Today, Clay County Prosecutors charged Defendant Charles Morris with the Felony of Assault in the 3rd Degree with a Special Victim, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Under Missouri law, charges may be elevated on certain crimes when the victim is over the age of 60.

According to the probable cause statement, deputies from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office responded Wednesday to a reported assault outside a residence in Liberty. The encounter began when the victim, who is over the age of 60, contacted Morris to ask him if he would help pick up storm debris. Following a verbal altercation, the victim began to drive away, prompting Morris to allegedly throw an object at the vehicle.

After the victim exited his vehicle, Morris allegedly struck the victim, knocking him to the ground. The victim suffered injuries to his face and hand but was able to return to his vehicle and drive away.

Morris was later arrested without further incident. After our office filed charges, the Court issued an arrest warrant and set bond at $50,000.

The investigation remains ongoing, and charges may change depending on the evidence our office receives. We thank the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff's Office for their work and collaboration, which allowed us to successfully file charges within 24 hours.

The information above was obtained from the court-filed probable cause statement in case 26CY-CR02730. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges are allegations only and do not constitute evidence of guilt. The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to seeking justice inside the courtroom.

10/14/2026

Today, we’re welcoming the newest addition to our office, Samantha Lehman!

Sam joins our office as our newest Child Support Caseworker, with over a decade of experience balancing a fast-paced environment and managing a growing team of professionals and students. Her ability to handle just about anything thrown her way will have a heavy influence on improving the lives of Clay County citizens.

When she’s not working, Sam enjoys spending time with her family and pets, or volunteering. A fun fact about Sam is she has four dogs at home!

Join us in welcoming Sam to the team!

10/13/2026

Supporting Families. Strengthening Our Community.

We are proud to share that in July and August, we distributed $3,030,151 directly to families for housing, food, and essentials. These payments are from parents and are not government assistance. This brings our year-to-date total to $12,575,556 in direct support for our community.

As the graph shows, our Family Support Services team maintains a steady commitment to ensuring children and families receive the financial support they deserve. These professionals work every day to establish and enforce court-ordered support, locate parents, and connect families with resources that promote stability.

This milestone is a testament to our team’s dedication and compassion. When families are supported, our entire community benefits. We look forward to sharing these milestones with you. If you have questions or need assistance, contact our Family Support team at 816-736-8350.

10/12/2026

Filed Charges Update

As part of our commitment to transparency, the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office provides monthly updates on the number of felony and misdemeanor cases reviewed and formally charged.

In September, a total of 484 charges were filed with the Court, consisting of 391 misdemeanors and 93 felonies. Of those misdemeanors, the majority were traffic-related offenses. These cases were investigated and submitted by our local law enforcement partners, whose collaborative efforts are essential to maintaining public safety.

The charges reflect the dedicated work of the officers, deputies, and troopers who serve our community, and we remain grateful for their commitment to thorough investigations. Our office will continue to provide these updates to keep the public informed of the work being accomplished by Clay County public safety professionals.

10/11/2026

For this week’s Shoutout Sunday, we’re shining the spotlight on a number of professionals who are essential to daily court operations: our circuit clerks.

With so many different schedules, it proved difficult to coordinate having most of them in one place. Their administrative work plays a fundamental role in keeping the courts running smoothly.

Their workday requires immense attention to detail, examining legal documents submitted to the courts, preparing and issuing orders of the court, and implementing technology systems to improve daily efficiency. Their role may not be highly visible, but their work is indispensable.

Thank you to all of our circuit clerks for the thorough and diligent work done every day. Without your work, we could not continue our mission of ensuring justice and creating a safer Clay County.

10/10/2026

$14,484.87 Returned to Victims

Last month, our office collected $14,484.87 in restitution, bringing our yearly total to $569,407.36 recovered and distributed. These payments from offenders provide vital relief to victims by covering tangible losses such as medical expenses, property damage, and stolen funds.

Paralegal Ryan "Restitution" Vutich continues to spearhead these efforts, working alongside our Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys who secure the necessary court orders and payments. Ryan remains focused on tracking and distributing these funds to ensure they reach victims directly. This collaborative work reinforces offender accountability and provides meaningful financial recovery for those impacted by crime.

10/09/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The national campaign unites organizations and individuals across the country in an effort to elevate the voices and experiences of survivors.

We are committed to our mission of protecting the rights of victims and holding offenders accountable.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, local and national resources are available.

Northland Domestic Violence Hotline: 816-452-8535
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Hope House: 816-461-4673 or hopehouse.net
Missouri Address Confidentiality Program: 866-509-1409 or MoSafeAtHome.com

Our office is with survivors, always.

10/08/2026

Defendant Sentenced for Robbery

On Tuesday, a Clay County judge sentenced Defendant Christopher Kennedy to 12 years in prison for the charge of Robbery in the 2nd Degree.

Gladstone officers rushed to a residence after a woman called 911 to report that she had locked herself in her car after an attempted carjacking just occurred in front of her home. Kennedy approached her vehicle after she had arrived home and then attempted to pull her from the car. The woman bravely fought back against Kennedy. During the struggle Kennedy took the woman’s car keys and left the scene on foot.

Kennedy ran when he first saw police and jumped a fence, but officers and a KCPD K-9 unit found and arrested him. This sentence delivers justice for our community and the victim and sends a message that dangerous criminal activity will not be tolerated in Clay County.

We thank the Gladstone MO Police, the Court, and our Assistant Prosecutors for their tireless work and dedication, which allowed us to hold this offender accountable and create a safer community for all.

State of Missouri v. Christopher Kennedy
19CY-CR02750

10/07/2026

Top 10 Defendant Sentenced

Today, Assistant Prosecutor Ron Holliday secured an 8-year prison sentence for Defendant David Lidge on the felonies of Unlawful Possession of a Fi***rm and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

The sentence comes after an incident that happened on April 14th, 2024 at a Clay County casino. Lidge was playing a table game when a black pistol fell out of his right pants leg and onto the floor. He then picked up the pistol and pointed it at several workers and patrons, before skipping away from the table. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers were able to disarm and arrest Lidge without anyone being injured, despite Lidge’s erratic behavior.
Lidge had a felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance and was not allowed to legally possess a fi***rm.

Although Lidge did not have any illegal drugs on him, he admitted to law enforcement officers that he took P*P before arriving at the casino.

We thank the Missouri State Highway Patrol, FBI - Kansas City, Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers, Clay County, Missouri Sheriff's Office, the Court, and our Assistant Prosecutors for their hard work and collaboration, which allowed us to apprehend and sentence this defendant.

State v. David Lidge
24CY-CR00882-01

Address

Liberty, MO

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18167368300

Website

https://www.claycountyprosecutor.com/

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