GOP candidate gets busted allegedly trying to plant drugs on his political rival

A Republican candidate for the Missouri state House is facing federal drug charges after newly unsealed court documents revealed an alleged plot to frame his political opponent by planting cocaine and prescription pills in her purse.

Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, made his initial court appearance Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in Springfield, where he faced one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. 

According to the Justice Department (DOJ), Ross conspired with his former campaign manager to stash narcotics among the personal property of his Republican rival, Louise Secker, ahead of the state's August primary.

But, according to an unsealed FBI affidavit, the campaign manager reportedly flipped on Ross and wore a wire to catch him in a sting operation.

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"The circumstances of his arrest are serious and deeply troubling," said Peter Kinder, chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, after news of Ross's arrest. 

"Being the Republican nominee for public office carries with it a responsibility to the voters, the community and the principles our party represents. ... Given the seriousness of the situation, I believe the right course of action is clear."

Kinder called on Ross to drop out of the race after he just narrowly won the Republican nomination for Missouri's state House of Representatives District 161 earlier this month by just a handful of votes against Secker to advance to the November general election against Democrat Aaron Metzger. Under Missouri election law, Ross has until Sept. 8 to voluntarily withdraw his name from the November general election ballot.

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"The American people deserve confidence in an electoral process that has served our nation for generations," Matthew Price, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said in a Justice Department press release published Thursday.

"Candidates are expected to conduct their campaigns with integrity, honesty and respect for their opponents, allowing voters to make informed decisions without fear of misinformation or undue influence."

The DOJ said it was contacted July 30 by the Joplin Police Department (JPD) regarding claims of public corruption after Ross' campaign manager told JPD about the conspiracy to plant cocaine and an Adderall pill, both Schedule II narcotics, among Secker's belongings. 

The staffer said he was asked by Ross to plant a baggie of cocaine and a prescription amphetamine pill, both given to him by Ross, inside Secker's purse or car. The Justice Department added that the drugs were meant to be planted while Ross was out of town.

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According to a probable cause affidavit, the following day, July 31, the campaign staffer wore a wire during an encounter at Ross' home, KOLR-TV reported.

The outlet said court records showed how the campaign manager told Ross he still had "the bag and addies" and asked whether Ross still wanted the drugs planted on his opponent.

Ross reportedly responded in the affirmative, according to court documents, and the pair also sent numerous text messages discussing the conspiracy that Ross suggested "would be extreme egg on the face" of Secker.

Screenshots of text messages suggest Ross and the former campaign manager discussed the plot as early as May 31, local outlet KCUR-FM of Kansas City added.

Fox News Digital reached out to Ross for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.