By Phil Anderson
Published: May. 17, 2024 at 8:13 AM CDT
ATCHISON, Kan. (WIBW) - Three former Atchison County employees were among five people who were arrested Wednesday on felony charges resulting from their alleged interference with an ultra-terrain vehicle injury crash in September 2023, according to KAIR Radio.
The arrests came after “a comprehensive six-month investigation” Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie said in a news release.
According to KAIR, the five individuals were taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon and evening on warrants issued by the Atchison County District Court.
• Among the arrested individuals was 42-year-old Wesley “Wes” Lanter, of rural Atchison County. KAIR said Lanter served as Atchison County Emergency Management Director from December 2010 until his termination in February 2024.
The former county information technology director and certified emergency medical technician was arrested on two felony counts, KAIR said: aid and abet leaving the scene of an accident-failure to report an injury accident resulting in great bodily harm; and interference with law enforcement. He also was arrested on a single misdemeanor count of official misconduct.
Weeks after his Atchison County termination, KAIR reported, Lanter was appointed to the position of Valley Falls city administrator following a Feb. 22 vote of the City Council, a position he held at the time of Wednesday’s arrest.
• Arrested on the same two felony counts was Jessica Housh, 34, an Atchison resident who served as Lanter’s Emergency Management office manager for five years. A certified emergency medical technician, she also served as a first responder for Atchison County Rescue for 12 years until she was terminated by the Atchison County Commission on Feb. 6, KAIR reported.
• Also arrested Wednesday on the same two felony counts was 12-year County Rescue member Adam Housh, of Atchison, who served as the rescue team’s officer-in-charge under Lanter’s direction until Feb. 6, when he was terminated by the commission.
• KAIR said the two non-former county employees arrested Wednesday were Jared Reiff, 23, of rural Atchison County, who was identified as the driver of the crashed UTV that sparked the investigation; and Maddison Umphenour-Nolan, 23, of Lancaster. Reiff was arrested on a single felony count of leaving the scene of an accident-failure to report an injury accident resulting in great bodily harm, while Umphenour-Nolan was arrested on both felony counts.
The Atchison County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement regarding the arrests on Wednesday.
“The arrests made today are the result of a diligent and thorough investigation by deputies and investigators of the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office,” the statement read. “Our primary responsibility is to uphold the law and ensure justice is served. We appreciate the victims’ and community’s patience throughout this investigation.”
In the news release, Sheriff Laurie explained the reason for the investigation that led to the arrests.
Laurie said that on the morning of Sept. 2, 2023, the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office, Atchison County Emergency Medical Services, and Atchison County Rescue responded to a UTV crash at a low-water crossing near the intersection of 250th and Graham roads in rural Atchison County near Effingham.
KAIR reported that when deputies arrived on the scene, they found that the driver, identified as Reiff, had left the scene, and was not located, leading to the allegation that he had fled “to avoid being investigated for driving under the influence of alcohol.”
Two UTV passengers, both from McLouth, were located at the scene, with 25-year-old Hannah Sparks suffering “severe, life-threatening injuries” while 22-year-old Gracie Berry sustained minor injuries, KAIR said.
According to Laurie’s release, “concerns arose regarding the involvement of Lanter [and Adam and Jessica Housh] who were present at the scene [of the UTV wreck] as rescue personnel.”
Laurie added that “subsequent investigations revealed potential interference with the crash investigation,” leading “to an extensive investigation, including numerous interviews and the execution of multiple search warrants,” which led to a review of the case by the Atchison County Attorney’s Office and to Wednesday’s arrests.
After they had been taken into custody, all five were booked into the Atchison County Jail.
As of Thursday morning, all five had been released after posting bond, with Reiff’s set at $20,000 while the four others were set at $10,000.
KAIR reported that the city of Valley Falls on Thursday morning released a statement regarding the situation and Lanter’s status in his city role:
“The City of Valley Falls is aware of the recent arrest and criminal allegations against Wes Lanter, City Administrator,” the statement read. “The City is presently investigating these allegations for actions of Mr. Lanter prior to his employment by the City. With respect to the individual in question, we are prohibited by law from discussing any potential disciplinary actions and matters pertaining to a specific employee.
“The City is conducting a full investigation and will follow established disciplinary procedures and take appropriate action, in accordance with City policy and State law. The City will have no other comment on this matter at this time.”
Additional details weren’t available on Friday morning.
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