Indictment Alleges South Dakota Man Meant to Commit Murder at Fort Riley

TOPEKA, KS—A South Dakota man is charged with entering Ft. Riley military post with intent to kill a man, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.

Ryan A. Peterson, Ipswich, S.D., is charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of attempted aggravated burglary, two counts of criminal trespass on a federal military post, and one count of criminal damage to property.

Peterson initially was indicted June 11, 2009. A superseding indictment filed today alleges that on May 22, 2009, Peterson drove from Ipswich, S.D., to Fort Riley in Geary County, Kan. He armed himself with a hunting knife and a painter’s tool for the purpose of breaking into the victim’s quarters on Washington Ave.  The indictment alleges Peterson told police after his arrest that he had intended to kill the victim by sneaking up behind him and cutting his throat.

At the victim’s house, Peterson attempted to break in. Then he rang the door bell, confronted the victim and ran away. Peterson hid in nearby trees and once again tried to break into the house while the victim was inside. Ft. Riley Police arrested Peterson outside the house.

The indictment also alleges that on Feb. 28, 2009, Peterson entered Ft. Riley and cut the tires of the victim’s 2007 Ford Focus and 2008 Dodge Caliber autos.

• Upon conviction, the alleged crimes carry the following penalties:
• Attempted murder: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.
• Attempted aggravated burglary: A maximum penalty of 12 months and a fine up to $100,000.
• Criminal trespass: A maximum penalty of six months and a fine up to $5,000.
• Criminal damage to property: A maximum penalty of seven months and a fine up to $1,000.
• Criminal trespass: A maximum penalty of six months and a fine up to $5,000.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ft. Riley Police investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis V. Kliem is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

A federal grand jury meeting in Topeka also returned the following indictment:

Miguel Angel Mendoza-Hernandez, 29, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute false United States identification documents, one count of possession of equipment for the purpose of making false identification documents, and one count of possession of a false Permanent Resident Alien card. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Dec. 2, 2009, in Kansas City, Kan.

• Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
• Possession with intent to distribute false U.S. identification documents: A maximum penalty of 15 years and a fine up to $250,000.
• Possession of equipment for the purpose of making false identification documents: A maximum penalty of 15 years and a fine up to $250,000.
• Possession of a false identification document in order to remain in the United States: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

Rafael Torres-Moreno, 32, is charged with one count of possession of a false Permanent Resident Alien card, and four counts of selling false identification documents. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in January, February, April and September 2009 in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of selling false documents, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possession of a false document. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

Isidro Castro-Lopez, 26, is charged with one count of possessing a fraudulent Permanent Resident Alien card and one count of possessing equipment for the purpose of making false United States identification documents. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Dec. 2, 2009, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing a false identification, and a maximum penalty of 15 years and a fine up to $250, 000 on the charge of possessing equipment for making false identification documents. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

Alejandro Rivera-Correa, 35, Springdale, Ark., and Oscar Calderon, 35, Paris, Texas, are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 11.8 kilograms (more than 26 pounds) of cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 4, 2009, in Wabaunsee County, Kan.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Lorenzo Gutierrez, 37, Aurora, Colo., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 19, 2009, in Wabaunsee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Gary L. Wren, 23, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 2, 2009, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.

Marco Antonio Rincon-Torres, 40, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found Nov. 19, 2009, in Osage County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Smith is prosecuting.

Israel Hernandez-Calderon, 31, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Nov. 25, 2009, in Coffey County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 2 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask is prosecuting.  

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.