Republican House Candidate ‘Plants’ Cocaine on Rival

A Missouri Republican candidate who squeaked through his primary by fewer than three dozen votes is now facing a stunning federal charge over an alleged plot to plant cocaine and Adderall on his political opponent.

Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, a candidate for the Missouri House, was charged Thursday with conspiring to distribute a controlled substance after his former campaign manager went to authorities with explosive allegations about the alleged scheme.

Federal prosecutors say Ross wanted the drugs secretly planted in the purse or vehicle of his Republican primary opponent, Louise Secker, apparently hoping she would then be caught with them.

Ross defeated Secker by fewer than 36 votes in last month’s Republican primary for Missouri’s 161st House District.

The allegations were serious enough for Missouri Republican Party leadership to call on Ross to immediately leave the race.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Ross’ former campaign manager turned over a black nylon glove that he said Ross had given him in June.

Inside the glove, investigators allegedly found a small plastic bag containing white powder that tested positive for cocaine, along with a pink-and-white capsule identified as 20 mg extended-release amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, commonly sold as Adderall.

The former campaign manager told investigators Ross wanted him to place the drugs inside Secker’s purse or vehicle while Ross was conveniently out of state on vacation.

Joplin police contacted the FBI on July 30 after learning about what authorities described as a possible “public corruption” matter.

Investigators say Ross then sent a series of messages to his former campaign manager while vacationing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, apparently using coded language to ask whether the alleged scheme had been carried out.

“Any luck with the substance of the matter?” Ross allegedly wrote in one message, according to the affidavit.

“I wont be gone much longer,” the message continued.

A few days later, Ross allegedly followed up again, asking whether there had been “no luck with the substance of it all.”

Investigators say another exchange showed Ross apparently pushing for the alleged plan to happen before Secker attended a gathering with Republican women at a local restaurant.

“I was hoping we could make it happen before THIS Thursday,” Ross allegedly wrote, adding that it would cause “extreme egg on the face.”

But the former campaign manager had already gone to law enforcement.

The FBI later secretly recorded a conversation between the two men, according to the affidavit.

During that conversation, Ross allegedly floated the idea of calling in an anonymous tip claiming that Secker had drugs inside her vehicle.

“If you can pull it off,” Ross allegedly told his former campaign manager, “pull it off.”

Federal prosecutors charged Ross with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Missouri Republican Party Chairman Ed Martin called the accusations “serious and deeply troubling” and said Ross should immediately withdraw from the race.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that the charge against Ross is an accusation and does not constitute evidence of guilt. Prosecutors would have to prove the case in court beyond a reasonable doubt.

Neither Ross nor his attorneys had immediately commented on the allegations when the charges were announced. Secker had also not publicly responded.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Joplin Police Department.