For Immediate Release

March 17, 2025

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced the office has charged an Independence man with a felony in connection with an attempted kidnapping. 

Jeromy Keith faces one count of 1st Degree Attempted Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping. *

“In this case, available evidence shows a pattern of abuse and threats which escalated to a conspiracy to commit a serious felony. Planning or conspiring to commit a crime is a criminal offense, even if the crime was never executed,” said Prosecutor Johnson. “Our office takes these cases extremely seriously and we will continue to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.”

According to court records, Independence police responded to a disturbance call where victims reported the defendant had threatened to kidnap his wife and murder another person. Officers later arrested the defendant and an individual who was with him, and discovered packing tape, a mask, a container of bleach, detergent, a striking baton, and a specialized view camera in their vehicle. 

Witnesses told police they overheard the defendant planning to pay someone to help kidnap his wife and murder another victim. 

Officers were told the defendant had a history of domestic abuse, causing his wife to often relocate to avoid him. The defendant had also been sending threatening messages to his wife, which made her fear for her safety. 

The defendant is being held on a $200,000 bond. 

*Charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty.

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Media Contact: 

Jazzlyn Johnson

Director of Communications 

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office 

415 E 12th Street

Kansas City, MO - 64106

(816) 929-1289 

jazzlyn.johnson@jacksongov.org 

https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com