Missouri – Three Missouri men find themselves facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in a series of armed robberies that swept through the state in early January 2023. The accused, Kahvaseon Z. Smith, 25, and Janaia R. Cason, 26, hailing from Columbia, along with Kentrail M. Collins, 26, of Kansas City, have been implicated in a 12-count indictment.
This indictment specifically addresses two notable incidents: an armed robbery in Jasper County and another in Barton County. The trio’s alleged criminal activities began on January 5 and stretched from Columbia to Boonville and further into Oak Grove.
On January 8, just three days into their spree, the group targeted Casey’s General Store in Joplin before committing a robbery at Lamarti’s truck stop in Lamar. These back-to-back robberies highlight the audacity of the crimes committed across various locations.
Adding to the gravity of the situation is the revelation that one of the individuals involved boasts a criminal record with previous felony convictions for burglary, robbery, and resisting arrest.
As the legal process unfolds, the federal armed robbery charges against Smith, Cason, and Collins spotlight the ongoing efforts to ensure public safety and hold accountable those who seek to undermine it through violent criminal acts.