Police then raided the Kansas newspaper after obtaining a search warrant from Viar citing a criminal investigation into "identity theft. on Friday. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. ”The Kansas Bureau of. Image credit Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector. m. authorized by Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar). The alleged crime was identity theft. Cody told the KBI that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar “scrutinized the evidence and decided it was not enough for me to get Pam Maag’s electronic devices. Facebook gives people the power to share. com. Attempts to contact Ensey to determine if he saw the affidavits before they were submitted to the court have been unsuccessful. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, citing possible identity theft and illegal use of a computer, authorized the search of the newspaper’s offices and the Meyers’ residence Friday morning. Magistrate Judge Laura E. CNN has reached out to Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant, and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed the search warrant that Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody used to seize the newspaper’s equipment, records about the restaurant owner, utility bills and other materials. Michelle Terry, Tecumseh. A 98-year-old co-owner of a small Kansas newspaper died Saturday, one day after a police raid on her home and the Marion County Record’s office building. Viar’s new position will be effective on her swearing-in. " An attorney for the newspaper deemed the searches and seizures illegal and said the police department's action "offends the constitutional protections the founding fathers gave the free press. 17, Keri Strahler. The first is the two crimes listed on the warrant. It got re-released by 4 Front Video and Universal on 22nd May. m. 501 W Main St. She was the lead prosecutor for Morris County at. Kansas resident Keri Strahler filed the complaint against Judge Laura Viar about a week after police raided the office of the Marion County Record, the home of the paper’s publisher and a county. Kari Newell, a local restaurant owner, had recently claimed at a city council meeting that the Marion County Record used “illegal methods” to learn of her past DUI conviction. She emphasizes the importance of the First Amendment in. Here are the latest developments in the case. He also repeated statements made by Mayfield: someone from the Marion county attorney’s office delivered the warrant to Magistrate Judge Laura Viar for approval and Viar denied an additional. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. Magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant under the pretense that Cody, the police chief, had reason to believe a newspaper reporter committed identity theft and unlawful use of a computer. About. @ruralindexing. m. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. Viar, at the time, entered a diversion agreement but had trouble following the court-mandated requirements, including that she seek an alcohol and drug. Kansas House Minority Leader. Police Chief Gideon Cody received approval from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to conduct the Aug. District Court Administrator. Chief Court Services Officer. Phone: 620-767-6838, Option 1. Viar didn't respond to a request to comment for this story or explain. The warrant, signed by local Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, authorized the search on suspicion of “identity theft” and “unlawful acts concerning computers. Judge who signed the warrant has her own DUI history. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. The position is opening as Judge Margaret White retires. She died the next day, something Eric Meyer attributes in part to the raid, saying she died of “shock and grief. Kansas Protection Order Portal (KS POP) County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. See biographical information on Judge Laura E. Eighth Judicial District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar has two DUI arrests on her record. on Friday. Courtesy. She currently is county attorney for Morris County. Before the raid, Meyer had reported last week that Marion restaurant owner Kari Newell kicked his newspaper employees out. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had. Ensey acknowledged Cody sent him the warrants. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant that authorized Marion police to raid the Marion County Record’s newsroom and the home of the editor. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas. Kansas Gov. County Attorney Laura Viar says Logan Callahan, 18, was found in violation of probation after he was convicted of unlawful sexual relations last October and was. ”. According to media reporting, the raid followed the Record having received information from a source, attempting to verify that information through a state website available to the public, and thereafter, alerting your department out ofMARION — Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody enlisted the support of local and state law enforcement officials in the days before he led raids on the local newspaper office, theExecution of the first search warrant at the newspaper's offices unfolded less than two hours after Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. 6 in Morris County. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed the warrant. Joan Meyer had been undergoing severe stress and emotional distress in the hours before her death, the Marion County Record reported. - Jay Troxell, Council Grove, owner and CFO, Tiptoz Dance Company LLC 9:45 a. Nothing in the affidavit or search warrant connects Gruver or her cellphone to the alleged crime. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. The alleged crime was identity theft. Cody told the KBI that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar “scrutinized the evidence and decided it was not enough for me to get Pam Maag’s electronic devices. Todd Heitschmidt, court. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. com. com. A Topeka woman, Keri Strahler, filed a complaint. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement. Police then raided the Kansas newspaper after obtaining a search warrant from Viar citing a criminal investigation into "identity theft. By Richard Burkard richard@emporia. Viar, who went by Laura Allen at the time, was put on diversion for an arrest in Coffey County. The Kansas magistrate judge who authorized a police raid of the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record has her own hidden history of driving under the influence. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says state authorities reviewing alleged crimes associated with the raid of a Marion newspaper are interested in whether someone breached the Kansas. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended on our offices today and seized our server and computers and personal cellphones of staff members. Steve Leben, former judge and professor of law at University of Missouri-Kansas City said neither Cody nor Magistrate Judge Laura Viar who signed the warrant took state and federal laws into. 11 raids on the newspaper office, the publisher’s home, and the home of a city councilwoman after small-town drama erupted over a restaurant owner’s quest for a liquor license. Cody told the KBI that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar "scrutinized the evidence and decided it was not enough for me to get Pam Maag's electronic devices. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Marion County Record now has all of the devices police seized in a raid. The search warrant, which was signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, allowed authorities to look for evidence of identity theft and evidence of criminal use of a computer. A Council Grove attorney pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight counts stemming largely. It appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists, requiring law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. 104. on Friday. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended on our offices today and seized our server and computers and personal cellphones of staff members. Shortly after the August 11th raid, a Topeka woman submitted a complaint against Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to the Commission on Judicial Conduct. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had. m. Viar, who went by Laura Allen at the time, was put on diversion for an arrest in Coffey County. 2. She currently is the county attorney for Morris County. Courtesy IversonLawOffice. She currently is the county attorney for Morris County. Cody ignored federal and state laws that prohibit authorities from taking journalists’ materials as he and his four police officers, aided by two. The raids on the family-owned newspaper occurred after a warrant was issued and signed by local Kansas Judge Laura Viar. TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. CNN has reached out to Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant, and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that. Eric Meyer, who is Joan Meyer's son, told the Kansas Reflector on Friday that "basically, all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended on our offices. Viar’s new position will be effective on her swearing-in. Iverson. View attorney's profile for reviews, office locations, and contact information. Image credit Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector. Viar’s DUI history could face scrutiny because the warrant she. 24. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. m. A printed issue of the Marion County Record sits in a display in its office, in. Viar, who went by Laura Allen at the time, was put on diversion for an arrest in Coffey County. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. The Kansas Reflector reported: “The search warrant, signed by Marion county district court magistrate judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. Police Chief Gideon Cody received approval from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to conduct the Aug. The search warrant only identifies Zorn as a suspect. A Kansas county prosecutor is withdrawing the search warrant used to raid a local newspaper and the judge who signed the warrant has a history of DUI arrests. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. Cody applied for and obtained search warrants signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. He lived with his 98-year-old mother, who co-owned the paper. Viar, who the Wichita. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, said law enforcement was allowed to search for and seize items including “documents and records pertaining. Junction City, KS 66441 Phone: 785-762-5221 Fax: 785-762-4420 Clerk of the District Court: Katrina Adams. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. Succeeds Gita Noble. —. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the warrants. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. However, the paper did cover a city council meeting where Newell admitted, on the record, that she had been given a DUI citation in 2008. The alleged crimes. The alleged victim is Kari Newell, who owns a restaurant in Marion and was trying to obtain a liquor license. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. She was the lead prosecutor for Morris County at the time. Live streams for the Morris County District Court. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. The Kansas magistrate judge who authorized a police raid of the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record has her own hidden history of driving under the influence. Judge Viar was allegedly arrested at least twice for driving under the influence (DUI) in two different Kansas counties in 2012 while she was lead prosecutor for Morris County, according to local reports. They presented a search warrant that alleges identity theft and. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. m. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about a local restaurant owner’s past DUI conviction. Both incidents happened in 2012 in Morris and Coffey counties. Term expires June 30, 2026. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. TOPEKA, Kansas — The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct requested Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to explain her decision to authorize search warrants used in controversial raids of the Marion newspaper office, the publisher’s home and a city council member’s residence. The warrant cites suspected "identity theft" of a local. . She fills a vacancy created when Judge Margaret White retires January 1. 25 in Coffey County and again on Aug. Results-driven marketing professional with nearly 15 years of experience in paid search and integrated marketing. Kari Newell, a local restaurant owner, had recently claimed at a city council meeting that the Marion County Record used “illegal methods” to learn of her past DUI conviction. No one has heard. Viar, who went by Laura Allen at the time, was put on diversion for an arrest in Coffey County. Morris County District Court. Attempts to contact both Marion’s police chief – Gideon Cody – and the judge who authorized his agency to conduct the raids aimed at the Record, Laura Viar, for comment on Meyer’s sudden. — Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant allowing police to raid a Marion newspaper, is being asked by the state to respond to a. Kansas resident Keri Strahler filed the complaint against Judge Laura Viar about a week after police raided the office of the Marion County Record, the home of the paper’s publisher and a county. In 2022, Viar was named magistrate judge by the 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission. However, the paper did cover a city council meeting where Newell admitted, on the record, that she had been given a DUI citation in 2008. TheKansas 8th District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. ”The alleged crimes. A search warrant signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar claimed probable cause over alleged violations related to identity theft and unlawful acts concerning computers. Local newspapers report that the judge who signed the search warrant had two drunken driving arrests within a year. A few details stand out in this two-page document, which was signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar around 9 a. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. 06. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Applicants just need a high school diploma, or equivalent, and be able to pass a. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Laura Kelly says questions should be. A Council Grove attorney pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight counts stemming largely. The Kansas magistrate judge who authorized a police raid of the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record has her own hidden history of driving under the influence. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. According to reports, Viar had been arrested twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012 — once on Jan. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. The local cops, under new chief Gideon Cody (who came to Marion a few months ago after more than 20 years with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department), ran with Newell’s complaints and, with some help from the local prosecutor, obtained a search warrant from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. Personal electronics used by the paper’s 98-year-old co-owner Joan Meyer, including a smart speaker she uses to ask for assistance, were among the items. The warrant, which was signed by 8th Judicial District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, authorized a search for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. The police department in Marion, Kansas — a town of about 2,000 — raided the Marion County Record under a search warrant signed by a county judge. Viar - (620) 767-6838, Option 1. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. B. View the profiles of people named Laura Viar. It is improbable that the Record or any of its reporters were engaged in identity theft. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. 18, at 9 a. More interesting is reporting from MSNBC contributor Marisa Kabas published in her Substack blog, who says Eric Meyer told her the computers also include names of former co-workers of Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, hired by the city a few months ago, who told the newspaper Cody. In 2012,. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. on Friday. , 25, 2012 – an incident that was previously unreported. Viar’s DUI history could face scrutiny because the warrant she. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed the warrant. She said there needs to be a “thorough investigation” into why the Marion Police Department presented the search warrant and why it was signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. TOPEKA, Kansas — Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody has resigned, less than two months after he instigated a widely covered raid on a local newspaper that culminated in a federalAfter a resident filed a complaint against Magistrate Judge Laura Viar for authorizing the raid, a state commission wants the judge to explain herself. (KWCH)Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Facebook gives people the power to share. Council Grove, KS, 66846-1701. Develop innovative learning opportunities to enhance clinical knowledge and science-based selling. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. According to a Wichita Eagle investigation, Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on January 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was detained at least twice in 2012 for DUI in two distinct. Education. Jennifer Wyatt, an attorney in a private practice The commission received an incomplete nomination, and if accepted, will interview that nominee at 2:20 p. The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected current County Attorney Laura Viar as the county’s next magistrate judge. A search warrant signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar stated she determined there was probable cause that the Record and its reporters were violating the Kansas law prohibiting identity theft. Viar. He lived with his 98-year-old mother, who co-owned the. the raid was “illegal” despite a warrant by a local magistrate judge, Laura Viar, which may or may not have had a probable cause predicate, grounded in the complaint of a local restaurant owner who threw Marion County Record reporters out of a. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about a local restaurant owner. Judge Viar did not respond to a request for comment from a local media. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. WICHITA, Kan. County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. Officers hauled away computers, hard drives and reporters’. Attempts to contact both Marion’s police chief – Gideon Cody – and the judge who authorized his agency to conduct the raids aimed at the Record, Laura Viar, for comment on Meyer’s sudden. Judge Laura Viar signed a warrant to allow police to raid the newspaper over claims it illegally obtained DUI information about a business owner. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. Kansas resident Keri Strahler filed the complaint against Judge Laura Viar about a week after police raided the office of the Marion County Record, the home of the paper’s publisher and a county. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. Eighth Judicial District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar has two DUI arrests on her record. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the. A search warrant signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar stated she determined there was probable cause that the Record and its reporters were violating the Kansas law prohibiting identity theft. Personal electronics used by the paper’s 98-year-old co-owner Joan Meyer, including a smart speaker she uses to ask for assistance, were among the items. The warrant, signed by local Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, authorized the search on suspicion of “identity theft” and “unlawful acts concerning computers. Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on that search warrant. Judge Laura Viar has been arrested at least twice for driving under the influence in two different Kansas counties, according to an investigation by The Wichita. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about a local restaurant owner. Over the weekend and into Monday morning, journalists have been trying to obtain records that would detail Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar's decision to sign off on the search warrant. The warrant cites suspected "identity theft" of a local. See biographical information on Judge Laura E. Courtesy IversonLawOffice. According to Meyer, his newspaper has been investigating potentially questionable. "Laura Viar probably doesn’t understand this," Meyer said. She said there needs to be a “thorough investigation” into why the Marion Police Department presented the search warrant and why it was signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. Kari Newell, a local restaurant owner, had recently claimed at a city council meeting that the Marion County Record used “illegal methods” to learn of her past DUI conviction. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the. The search warrant for the raid, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, was to look for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. The local judge who reportedly signed the warrant authorizing the raids, Laura Viar, hasn’t publicly commented. Magistrate Judge. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. Updated: Aug 15, 2023 / 08:30 AM CDT. Act as cross-functional liaison between research. Viar’s DUI history could face scrutiny because the. Max Kautsch, a Lawrence attorney with the Kansas Coalition for Open Government, said the organization condemned the searches and. A photo from the Kansas 8th Judicial District website shows Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed a search warrant authorizing police to raid a local. MARION COUNTY, Kan. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at. Gruver says Cody. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain why she. Judge Laura Viar, who signed off on a search warrant authorizing the searches, is facing a complaint about her decision and has been asked by a judicial body to respond, records shared with CNN by. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. A printed issue of the Marion County Record sits in a display in its office, in. "While the affidavits purport to be signed before Magistrate Viar on the day of the illegal searches, no explanation has been provided why they were not filed prior to the execution of the illegal searches," Rhodes said in a. Local newspapers report that the judge who signed the search warrant had two drunken driving arrests within a year. S. 11, local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones and reporting materials from the Marion County Record office, the newspaper’s reporters and the publisher’s home. Seven months later, she was arrested again for a DUI in Morris County while she was the. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. The raid came on a search warrant that challengers want opened to show the reasoning by county District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. As a respected advocate for upholding the Constitution, Judge Viar believes that the raid raises serious concerns about the government's role in suppressing journalism. She currently is the county attorney for Morris County. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant that authorized Marion police to raid the Marion County Record’s newsroom and the home of the editor. Video Access to Courtroom Hearings. Cody told the KBI that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar "scrutinized the evidence and decided it was not enough for me to get Pam Maag's electronic devices. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who authorized the police raid on the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record, has her own history of driving under the influence (DUI). 2003. Magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant under the pretense that Cody, the police chief, had reason to believe a newspaper reporter committed identity theft and unlawful use of a computer. The alleged crimes. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Magistrate Judge Laura E. Judge Viar approved the search warrants. The warrant, which was signed by 8th Judicial District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, authorized a search for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. Laura Ethel Viar is a lawyer serving Council Grove in Criminal Defense and Criminal Defense cases. At the time, Viar's last name was Allen and she was working as the top prosecutor in Morris County. MARION — In an unprecedented raid Friday, local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones a Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, of the 8th Judicial District, was charged at least twice for DUI in two Kansas counties in 2012, including in August that year when she allegedly drove off the road. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. The Marion County Record now has all of the devices police seized in a raid. Personally, I think Police Chief Gideon Cody, Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, and drunk driver Kari Newell are about to go through some things. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant that authorized Marion police to raid the Marion County Record’s newsroom and the home of the editor. However, federal law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials from journalists rather than seize it through a search warrant. Viar or the. Judge Laura Viar, a prominent figure in the 8th Judicial District, has been following the developments closely. m. m. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. The affidavits, which were obtained by CBS News, claim to have been signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar on Aug. Shortly after the August 11th raid, a Topeka woman submitted a complaint against Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to the Commission on Judicial Conduct. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. ” But Viar approved search warrants for the Marion County Record newsroom, Meyer’s home and Herbel’s home. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. A few details stand out in this two-page document, which was signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar around 9 a. According to a search warrant signed by Marion County Magistrate Laura Viar, the raid is related to an ongoing dispute between the paper and local restaurateur Kari Newell. The search warrant for the raid, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, was to look for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. Local Magistrate Judge Laura Viar issued a search warrant citing possible identity theft and illegal use of a computer, authorizing police to seize files relating to Newell. D. They presented a search warrant that alleges identity theft and. " The police officer who served the warrant responds, "That's something you'll have. The raids on the family-owned newspaper occurred after a warrant was issued and signed by local Kansas Judge Laura Viar. . Local Magistrate Judge Laura Viar issued a search warrant citing possible identity theft and illegal use of a computer, authorizing police to seize files relating to Newell. County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. TOPEKA, Kansas — The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct requested Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to explain her decision to authorize search warrants used in controversial raids of the Marion newspaper office, the publisher’s home and a city council member’s residence. It turns out Viar reportedly has two DUIs of her own. The affidavits authorizing the searches and seizures at the paper and the publisher’s house were signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, and while her signature was dated Aug. After Marion County Judge Laura Viar signed the search warrant, Marion police officers went to the newspaper’s office and two private homes, including the home of newspaper co-owner Joann Meyer. 25 in Coffey County and again on Aug. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. MARION COUNTY, Kan. It turns out Viar reportedly has two DUIs of her own. Seven months later, she was arrested again for a DUI in Morris County while she was the county attorney. Judge Laura Viar signed a warrant to allow a police raid on the newspaper over claims it illegally obtained DUI information about a local business owner. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. Fax: 620-767-6488. However, law enforcement could not have executed this illegal raid without the signing of a warrant by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. The alleged victim is Kari Newell, who owns a restaurant in Marion and was trying to obtain a liquor license. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. 9:30 a. 6 in Morris County. T he last album from Portlandian folk-rocker Laura Veirs, 2020’s My Echo, unconsciously charted the disintegration of her marriage: it was written prior to her split from husband and longtime. Leads agency side search and performance media. The Wichita Eagle reported that Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed earlier this year and signed off on the controversial search warrant, has her own history of DUI arrests. Prior to her appointment. com. 14 — three days after the search was conducted. She was the lead prosecutor for Morris County at the time. If Magistrate Judge Laura Viar hadn’t signed the warrant authorizing the illegal raid, supposedly because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about the DUI of a. TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed four new members and reappointed two current members to the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency Planning . TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar’s sweeping warrant cited “identity theft” and “unlawful acts concerning computers” as grounds for the raid. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. Officials conducted the raid after Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant Friday morning, which alleges violations of identity. County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. Council Grove, KS, 66846-1701. 8/12/2023 10:36 AM PT. Enable Google Translate. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. She was the lead prosecutor for Morris County at the time. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. Police then raided the Kansas newspaper after obtaining a search warrant from Viar citing a criminal investigation into "identity theft. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about a local restaurant owner. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. A Kansas commission tasked with investigating judicial misconduct wants the judge who signed off on an extraordinary search of a newspaper to explain herself. Judge who signed the warrant has her own DUI history. TOPEKA -- The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. Viar - (620) 767-6838, Option 1. The incident at the Marion County. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. CNN has reached out to Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant, and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that. Join Facebook to connect with Laura Viar and others you may know. The first is the two crimes listed on the warrant: “identity theft. New members are: District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, serving in Morris County of the 8th Judicial District, to serve through June 30, 2025. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Iverson. Viar or the. Both incidents happened in 2012 in Morris and Coffey counties. View Lori’s full profile. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, citing possible identity theft and illegal use of a computer, authorized the search of the newspaper’s offices and the Meyers’ residence Friday morning. The search warrant for the raid, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, was to look for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. 11 raids on the newspaper office, the publisher’s home, and the home of a city councilwoman after small-town drama erupted over a restaurant owner’s quest for a liquor license. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, said law enforcement was allowed to search for and seize items including “documents and records pertaining. " But Viar approved search warrants for the. The search warrant in Marion, signed by county magistrate judge Laura Viar on Friday morning, allowed officers to confiscate a wide range of items, from computers and hardware to reporting documents. Contact Laura. As a respected advocate for upholding the Constitution, Judge Viar believes that the raid raises serious concerns about the government's role in suppressing journalism. Those 2012 arrests came months apart in two counties — and it's not clear how much information was shared between officials at the time, The. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Kansas House Minority Leader.