Missouri trooper indicted on 13 counts in ‘corruption scheme’ involving Kansas City towing companies

A Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) trooper is facing more than a dozen charges related to an alleged “towing corruption scheme” in the Kansas City area.

On May 18, 2026, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office (JCPO) announced that MSHP trooper Charles “Nate” Bradley was indicted by a Grand Jury on 13 counts for mishandling evidence and corruption following a year-long investigation.

Bradley surrendered on May 15 and was released on a $30,000 bond.

Charges include ten counts of tampering with physical evidence, one count of acceding to corruption by a public servant, one count of stealing $25,000 or more, and one count of first degree property damage.

Officials allege that Bradley “used his position as a MSHP trooper to help towing companies profit from towing and storing stolen vehicles without proper law enforcement involvement, preventing proper evidence collection and investigation.”

Bradley also allegedly caused delays in owners retrieving towed vehicles, which allowed tow companies to charge excessive storage and towing fees. Victims and insurance companies were forced to either pay thousands or surrender their vehicles, officials said.

JCPO further alleges that Bradley accepted gifts from a tow operator in exchange for giving them access to stolen vehicles. Bradley also received a stolen necklace worth at least $25,000, taken during a jewelry store burglary, officials said.

Bradley is further accused of instructing a tow truck driver to intentionally damage a stolen vehicle to disable it.

Investigating agencies include the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Kansas City Police Department, the Missouri Department of Revenue, and the Leawood, Kansas, Police Department