A Missouri state House candidate is facing federal charges after authorities say he attempted to have cocaine and Adderall planted on a political opponent. Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, was charged Thursday with one count of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Missouri’s Western District.
The accusation stems from an alleged scheme involving Ross’s former campaign manager, who reportedly contacted authorities after being asked to carry out the drug-planting plan. The intended target was Louise Secker, Ross’s opponent in the Republican primary held last month.
Ross narrowly defeated Secker by fewer than three dozen votes to secure the GOP nomination for the House seat in Missouri’s 161st District.
Alleged Plot Detailed in Court Documents
According to a probable cause affidavit, the former campaign manager handed over to local police a black nylon glove that Ross allegedly provided in June. The glove reportedly contained a small bag of cocaine and Adderall.
After Joplin police contacted the FBI, the campaign manager told federal authorities that Ross wanted the drugs placed in Secker’s car or purse while Ross was vacationing in South Carolina, the affidavit alleges.
Text Messages and Recorded Conversation
The affidavit includes a series of text messages Ross allegedly sent to the campaign manager while in Myrtle Beach. In one message, Ross reportedly wrote: “Any luck with the substance of the matter? I wont be gone much longer.” A few days later, he allegedly texted: “Taking it no luck with the substance of it all?”
In an earlier text, Ross allegedly referenced Secker’s planned meeting with Republican women at a local restaurant, saying he wanted “it” to happen beforehand. “I was hoping we could make it happen before THIS Thursday,” he is accused of writing, adding, “Which would be extreme egg on the face.”
Later, during a conversation between the campaign manager and Ross that was secretly recorded by the FBI, Ross allegedly suggested calling in an anonymous tip that Secker had drugs in her car. “If you can pull it off,” Ross allegedly said, “pull it off.”
Reactions and Status
Neither Ross nor his attorneys immediately responded to requests for comment on Thursday. Secker also did not respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, the state GOP chairman called the allegations “serious and deeply troubling” and said Ross should immediately drop out of the race.
