Topeka: Child porn case nets 27 months

A Topeka man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for possessing child pornography, U.S. Atty. Eric Melgren said.

Roger Gilbert, 54, pleaded guilty in August to one count of possessing child pornography and one count of forfeiture of a computer.

The sentence imposed Thursday by U.S. District Judge Sam Crow included no parole for Gilbert and was to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Melgren said Gilbert admitted at his plea that on March 7, he possessed child pornography that had been transported in interstate commerce by computer. He said Gilbert also admitted he used his computer to commit and promote the commission of the offense.

The prosecutor said the investigation was part of “Operation Candyman,” a nationwide FBI investigation into Internet-based child pornography.

Kansas City, Mo.: City council endorses $60 million for center

A proposed downtown performing arts center complex would get about $45 million to $60 million in city money under a resolution the Kansas City Council has endorsed.

The resolution endorsed Thursday directs City Manager Bob Collins to put together a financing package to help build the center.

“We are going to do our share to make this dream come true,” Councilman Jim Rowland said.

The performing arts complex is projected to cost $304 million. Supporters anticipate $100 million will come from public funds and $204 million from the foundation and other private donors.

The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation pledged $80 million for construction costs, plus $25 million for an operating endowment.

Attorneys for Kauffman said they hoped the city’s financing could be worked out by the end of February. The city’s money would be used mostly to help pay for land acquisition and underground parking.