Kansas City, Mo.

Prison sentence upheld in drug diluting case

A federal appeals court has rejected Robert Courtney’s argument that his 30-year prison sentence for diluting chemotherapy and other drugs is too long.

The former pharmacist drew national attention in 2001 when authorities learned he diluted cancer medication sold at his Kansas City pharmacy.

Courtney pleaded guilty in early 2002 to diluting drugs. His plea agreement recommended a sentence of 17 1/2 to 22 years, but a federal district judge imposed a longer sentence, which an appeals court upheld Monday.

Overland Park

Plane makes emergency landing on busy street

A four-seat airplane made an emergency landing early Tuesday on a busy street in a southern Johnson County residential area, authorities said.

A fuel problem caused the 1959 Piper Comanche to begin losing power as the pilot was flying a passenger from Ohio to New Century Airport near Gardner, police said.

No one was hurt, but the plane and several trees sustained minor damage around 12:15 a.m. when the pilot landed the aircraft on the southbound lanes of Nall Avenue near 128th Street.

Platte City, Mo.

Suspect pleads guilty to statutory rape

A 42-year-old man has pleaded guilty to first-degree statutory rape after telling authorities he had sex with a 12-year-old girl.

Paul C. Williams, of Kansas City, Kan., also was convicted last year of statutory rape and sodomy in Wyandotte County for having sex with the girl at his home.

The girl became pregnant, and DNA tests revealed there was a 99.999 percent probability that Williams was the father, prosecutor Eric Zahnd said.

Sentencing is set for June 1.