LINN — Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) officers arrested Daniel S. Kurtzenborn, 41, on Friday, in Linn as part of a multi-agency operation that culminated in the arrest of six people in Osage and Miller counties. The ATF and MSHP worked in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), but none notified either sheriff of action taking place in their counties.

Osage County Sheriff Mike Bonham said that could have cost someone their life. “I’m very disappointed in our federal agencies, especially the ATF, because this could have been very bad,” he said. “If someone had called and said there were men with guns in this neighborhood, we would have responded with the understanding that there were men with guns, and we would be asking them to disarm, which they probably would not be inclined to do, which then could have gone very bad.

“We (wouldn’t) know if they’re FBI or ATF or CIA or cartel members posing as them,” Bonham added. “We would be responding to the request of our citizens. Someone could have been killed or hurt because of their lack of transparency and cooperation with local law enforcement. I’m very discouraged with them.” 

Bonham said he had an agreement with the previous U.S. Attorney that he would be called prior to any action in his county.

“They didn’t give us a courtesy call, either before or after, that they were making arrests in our county, and this is (one of) the things that causes problems between agencies,” Bonham said. “And it shouldn’t be, because we’ve always been transparent with other agencies, whether it be state or federal. We have tried to work with all of them.

“(That) they don’t want to give the elected official of the people of this county notice is kind of reprehensible,” Bonham continued. “I’m an honest broker. I have done nothing to warrant disrespect. But, yet, they have now warranted a distrust from this office because of their lack of transparency. It’s unbelievable, unfathomable to me.”

According to an FBI press release, Kurtzeborn has been charged with two counts of violent crime in the aid of racketeering, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kurtzeborn was allegedly involved in the assault on another person with a deadly weapon on Dec. 12, 2020, and also allegedly attempted to assault a victim by shooting at him on July 15, 2021. He allegedly possessed a Taurus .357-caliber revolver on July 15, 2021.

Also charged in a 25-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Tuesday, June 18, were Tonka W. Ponder, 53, and his wife, Carolynn L. Ponder, 47, both of Preston, Tretch L. Lawrence, also known as “Travis Dewain Shankle,” 48, Keith D. Nolen Jr., also known as “Seg,” 34, Paul L. Gardner, 52, and Robert Russell Warren, also known as “Russ,” 54.

The indictment was unsealed and made public on Friday following the arrest of six of the defendants (with the exception of Warren). Tonka Ponder, Lawrence, Nolen, and Kurtzeborn remained in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday, June 25. Gardner and Carolynn Ponder were released on bond.

The federal indictment alleges that Tonka Ponder, Lawrence, Nolen, Gardner and Kurtzeborn are members of the Lake of the Ozarks chapter of the Galloping Goose outlaw motorcycle gang, an organized criminal enterprise.

The indictment alleges that Galloping Goose members engaged in acts of violence, including assault, attempted robbery, and extortion.

Several members were also charged with charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine (50 grams or more).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron M. Maness and Cecily L. Hicks.

Bonham said he was contacting their federal partners, not only in Missouri but in Washington, D.C., to ask what has changed and why they are no longer willing to work with local agencies. He is unaware of any reason.

“If there is an issue that needs to be resolved, we’ll be glad to sit down and visit with them,” Bonham said, “and they should have done this already — way before this incident.

“We’ve always worked well with them,” Bonham continued. “We consider them partners, and I still say partners. Partners can make mistakes. People can make mistakes and overlook things, and I can understand that. But if it becomes a pattern, then there’s a problem.

“This is one of those bumps in the road I hope that we can get resolved, but they need to understand this is exactly why many people have trouble with the federal government,” Bonham added. “It’s a simple matter of communication, or their lack of it, that is really the heart of this matter.”