District Attorney

Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court celebrates 10th anniversary

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:22:18 +0000

Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court celebrates 10th anniversary tim.dodderidge… Mon, 03/09/2026 - 12:22 March 9, 2026

District Court Judge Timothy P. McCarthy delivers remarks for veterans, staff and community members at a 10th anniversary event for the Veterans Treatment Court on Friday, March 6, at the Johnson County Courthouse.

Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court recently celebrated 10 years of serving veterans in the criminal justice system and helping to place eligible service members into treatment and court supervision as an alternative to incarceration.

Johnson County founded the first treatment court for veterans in the state of Kansas in January 2016 and celebrated its first graduate a year later. It then added a Behavioral Health Court and an Adult Treatment Court in 2023 to serve people experiencing mental health issues and substance use disorders.

“We’ve had a lot of success with this treatment court, and that’s due to the great team that has come together to help these veterans succeed,” said Judge Timothy P. McCarthy, who spearheaded the effort to bring Veterans Treatment Court to the county. “From law enforcement to court staff to volunteer mentors and many more, seeing everyone working together to help our veterans turn their lives around is truly remarkable.”

Some highlights of the court during the last 10 years include:

88 veterans have graduated from the Veterans Treatment Court in Johnson County, with another 13 currently enrolled.
Veterans from each branch of the U.S. military except the Space Force have graduated from the program.
The program has served veterans of the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When the program was founded in Johnson County, it was the 287th Veterans Treatment Court in America. Today, there are more than 530, including six in Kansas.

Staff members and others involved with the program gathered Friday afternoon at the Johnson County Courthouse for an event to celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary.

Learn more about Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court.

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Latest graduates honored as Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court begins its 10th year

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:52:16 +0000

Latest graduates honored as Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court begins its 10th year tim.dodderidge… Wed, 01/28/2026 - 16:52 January 29, 2026

Four veterans were honored during the latest Veterans Treatment Court graduation ceremony (left to right): Douglas Henderson, Todd Graham, Will Vonsteiger and Manny Peine

Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court, a treatment program for veterans in the criminal justice system, honored its latest graduates with a ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Four veterans were honored during the graduation, which took place at the Johnson County Courthouse:

Douglas Henderson – Army
Manny Peine – Army
Todd Graham – Marine Corps
Will Vonsteiger – Army

After Wednesday’s ceremony, a total of 88 veterans have graduated from Veterans Treatment Court in Johnson County, and 13 are currently in the program.

District Court Judge Timothy P. McCarthy, who spearheaded the effort to bring Veterans Treatment Court to the county, presided over the graduation ceremony. Courthouse and county officials were in attendance. Sheriff Byron Roberson, who served eight years in the Marines, was the ceremony’s guest speaker.

“Our four new graduates of Veterans Treatment Court should be very proud of their accomplishment. Through this program, they’ve put in the hard work and dedication to turn their lives around, and they will carry this experience with them as they move out of the criminal justice system,” Judge McCarthy said.

In 2026, Veterans Treatment Court celebrates its 10th anniversary in Johnson County. Johnson County District Court founded the first treatment court for veterans in the state of Kansas in January 2016. A year later, the court recognized its first veteran to graduate from the program.

Veterans Treatment Court’s mission is to identify veterans in the criminal justice system and to place eligible service people into treatment and court supervision as an alternative to incarceration. Nationally, Veterans Treatment Court has a 95% success rate – that is, 95% of graduates never return to the criminal justice system.

Graduates of the county’s program have served in a variety of foreign conflicts, including the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. Many combat veterans return with post-traumatic stress disorder, and some have experienced traumatic brain injuries.

The program assigns each participant with a volunteer mentor, a military veteran who walks side by side with them throughout the entire program. Around 50 mentors have served in the program the past 10 years. Mike Ralls, a Vietnam veteran, is the current head of mentors.

Upon its launch, the county’s program was the 287th Veterans Treatment Court in the United States. Today, there are six Veterans Treatment Courts in Kansas and 530 across the country.

“People are seeing that treatment courts work,” Judge McCarthy said. “Sometimes supervising people through treatment with a team and frequent court appearances can get people out of the system. I appreciate our great team and everyone who has worked with us to get here.”

A Behavioral Health Court and an Adult Treatment Court launched in 2023, joining the county's Veterans Treatment Court in serving individuals’ mental health and substance use disorder needs.

A special celebration in honor of the county’s 10th anniversary of Veterans Treatment Court will take place March 6 at 1 p.m. in the Courthouse's Jury Assembly Room.

Learn more about Veterans Treatment Court and court services available in Johnson County.

Veterans Treatment Court celebrates its 10th anniversary

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Veterans Treatment Court honors latest graduates during Sept. 24 ceremony

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:10:09 +0000

Veterans Treatment Court honors latest graduates during Sept. 24 ceremony tim.dodderidge… Wed, 09/24/2025 - 13:10 September 24, 2025

Veterans Treatment Court graduates Evan O'Dell (left) and Aaron Crouch (center) with Judge Timothy P. McCarthy (center)

Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court honored its latest program graduates with a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the Johnson County Courthouse.

Two veterans were honored during the graduation: Evan O’Dell (Navy, 2007-11) and Aaron Crouch (Army, 1993-96). After Wednesday’s ceremony, a total of 85 veterans have graduated from VTC in Johnson County.

District Court Judge Timothy P. McCarthy, who spearheaded the effort to bring VTC to the county, presided over the recognition ceremony. Courthouse and county officials were present for the ceremony.

Johnson County District Court founded the first treatment court for veterans in the state of Kansas in January 2016. A year later, VTC recognized its first veteran to graduate from the program.

A behavioral health court and an adult treatment court launched in 2023, joining the county's veterans treatment court in serving individuals’ mental health and substance use disorder needs. The county honored its first adult treatment court graduates during a ceremony on May 16.

VTC’s mission is to identify veterans in the criminal justice system and to place eligible service people into treatment and court supervision as an alternative to incarceration.

In 2008, Judge Robert Russell in Buffalo, New York, began the first docket dedicated to veterans after he saw an increase in the number of military servicemen appearing on his drug and mental health court dockets.

Learn more about Veterans Treatment Court and court services available in Johnson County.

Veterans Treatment Court in Johnson County

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Johnson County celebrates first Behavioral Health Court graduate

nathan.carter@jocogov.org — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:53:55 +0000

Johnson County celebrates first Behavioral Health Court graduate nathan.carter@… Wed, 09/03/2025 - 08:53 September 3, 2025

Johnson County celebrated the first graduate of its Behavioral Health Court at a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Johnson County Courthouse.

Johnson County's Behavioral Health Court was launched in 2023 to provide treatment services and community supports to individuals in the criminal justice system with mental health disorders or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, helping them successfully integrate back into the community and reducing the likelihood of future involvement with the criminal justice system.

At Thursday's ceremony, Judge Robert Wonnell of the Kansas 10th Judicial Court celebrated the graduate, Preston, telling him that his completion of the four-phase program represented the "first day of the best of your life."

Behavioral Health Court participants attend court hearings every two weeks or monthly to review their progress and celebrate their successes. They meet regularly with a probation officer and a Johnson County Mental Health Center case manager, who helps them engage in treatment, set goals, find stability and work toward long-term recovery.

Wonnell, who presides over Behavioral Health Court, said Thursday's graduation would not have been possible without a collaborative effort from many partners, including District Court, the District Attorney's Office, Johnson County Mental Health Center and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.

"Years ago, we came together and asked if there was something we could do as a court and as a team to come alongside individuals who have a serious mental illness to help them successfully complete their probation and be in a position for this time to be the last time they're ever in the justice system," said Wonnell. "To now have an individual who has successfully graduated, it's an accomplishment for the team and the individual, but it's also motivation to keep offering this program."

Behavioral Health Court is Johnson County's third specialized treatment court. In 2016, Johnson County launched the first treatment court for veterans in Kansas. 83 veterans have since graduated from Veterans Treatment Court, including four graduates honored at a ceremony in June. Adult Drug Treatment Court, which also launched in 2023, celebrated its first two graduates at a ceremony in May.

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Veterans Treatment Court honors latest graduates during June 4 ceremony

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 18:03:40 +0000

Veterans Treatment Court honors latest graduates during June 4 ceremony tim.dodderidge… Wed, 06/04/2025 - 13:03 June 5, 2025

Left to right: Judge Timothy P. McCarthy with three of the graduates, Justin Tomison, Odean Justice and Pablo Cuadra-Stanford

Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court honored its latest program graduates with a ceremony on Wednesday, June 4 at the Johnson County Courthouse.

A total of four veterans were honored during the graduation:

Pablo Cuadra-Stanford – Army Infantry
Justin Tomison – Army Reserve
Odean Justice – Army
Dakota McLanahan – Army

After Wednesday’s ceremony, a total of 83 veterans have graduated from VTC in Johnson County.

District Court Judge Timothy P. McCarthy, who spearheaded the effort to bring VTC to the county, presided over the recognition ceremony. Courthouse and county officials were present for the ceremony.

Johnson County District Court founded the first treatment court for veterans in the state of Kansas in January 2016. A year later, VTC recognized its first veteran to graduate from the program.

VTC’s mission is to identify veterans in the criminal justice system and to place eligible service people into treatment and court supervision as an alternative to incarceration.

Learn more about Veterans Treatment Court and court services available in Johnson County.

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Department of Corrections

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Ceremony honors first Johnson County Adult Drug Treatment graduates

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Fri, 16 May 2025 20:57:14 +0000

Ceremony honors first Johnson County Adult Drug Treatment graduates tim.dodderidge… Fri, 05/16/2025 - 15:57 May 16, 2025

Johnson County honored the first two graduates of its new Adult Drug Treatment Court during a ceremony on Thursday, May 15, at the Johnson County Courthouse.

The treatment court launched in 2023 to serve individuals with substance use disorder as a treatment-based alternative to incarceration. A new Behavioral Health Court also launched that year to serve individuals with mental health needs.

Graduates George Radee and Brandon Stevens completed the six-level program in 18 months. “Given the demands of this program, that is a record pace,” said Judge Kelly Ryan of the Kansas 10th Judicial Court. Ryan presides over the treatment court and meets with participants at least once every two weeks. Additional court staff also meet with participants to monitor and chart their progress on therapy, drug testing and job performance.

“We are in their face all the time,” Ryan said. “It’s at least 18 months, and that’s when they are gliding through. We hear that drug courts, treatment courts, are just for people to avoid prison. But that’s not true. These people volunteer (to participate). They want the help.”

The Adult Drug Treatment Court is the result of a partnership between District Court, Community Corrections, the District Attorney’s Office, A Connecting Pointe rehabilitation center, private defense counsel, the Johnson County Mental Health Center, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office.

The Adult Drug Treatment Court and the Behavioral Health Court follow the success of the county’s Veterans Treatment Court, which serves veterans with substance use and mental health issues. Veterans Treatment Court launched in 2016 as the county’s first treatment court, as well as the first treatment court for veterans in the state of Kansas.

Adult Treatment Court Graduation: Video

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Johnson County voters to consider Public Safety sales tax renewal on November 2025 ballot

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Thu, 08 May 2025 21:49:42 +0000

Johnson County voters to consider Public Safety sales tax renewal on November 2025 ballot tim.dodderidge… Thu, 05/08/2025 - 16:49 May 8, 2025

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted today to add a question to the November 2025 ballot for voters to consider a renewal of the Public Safety sales tax. If approved by voters, revenue would be shared between Johnson County and all cities within the county. The county’s portion would fund a wide variety of public safety programs, including but not limited to: Emergency Medical/Ambulance Services (MED-ACT), Sheriff’s Office, Mental Health Crisis Intervention, Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, Department of Corrections, District Courts and District Attorney's Office.

“Johnson County has experienced significant population growth over the past 15 years, with an especially rapid increase in residents aged 65 and older. This demographic shift has created increasing demands on our public safety infrastructure,” said Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly. “Renewing an existing public safety sales tax allows us to continue funding essential services without increasing the property tax burden on residents."

The May 8 BOCC action certified the following ballot language:

“Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Johnson County, Kansas, adopt, renew, and impose for a period of ten (10) years a one-fourth (1/4) of one-cent countywide retailers’ sales tax in Johnson County, Kansas, commencing April 1, 2027, with proceeds from the tax to be distributed as required by law to the County and the cities in Johnson County, with the county share to be used for the purpose of financing the costs of construction, renovation, repair, maintenance, operation and personnel expenses of public safety projects, facilities, and programs, including but not limited to emergency/ambulance/911 services, Sheriff’s Office, mental health crisis intervention, emergency preparedness/disaster response, and criminal justice system?”

Learn more about this topic and stay up-to-date at jocogov.org/salestaxrenewal.

How the funding would be used

Johnson County’s demand for public safety services is growing due to population increases, an aging community and greater complexity in emergency response. Emergency medical services are responding to more high-acuity calls, particularly among older adults, and our public safety system is increasingly addressing mental health crises alongside traditional law enforcement. At the same time, inflation and workforce pressures are driving up the cost of delivering these essential services. There is also uncertainty of state and federal funding for essential services.

If renewed, public safety sales tax funds would go towards Johnson County’s public safety departments and programs. Examples of how the funds could be used include program improvements (e.g., mental health co-responder programs, new emergency dispatch services, re-entry programs for detainees); technology upgrades tied to public safety (e.g., body-worn cameras) and emergency communications/9-1-1 system enhancements.

Details on this revenue option

Kansas state statute allows counties to levy a retailers’ sales tax for the purpose of financing the construction and operation costs of public safety projects. The existing quarter-cent Public Safety Sales Tax III was initially approved by Johnson County voters in 2016. It is currently set to expire on March 31, 2027. This dedicated funding stream has historically supported critical public safety services and the construction and operation of a county courthouse and coroner facility.

Renewing the sales tax would generate approximately $54 million annually based on current collections. The revenue is split between the county and the cities within Johnson County.

$35 million annually for the county (64%)
$19.7 million annually collectively for cities in Johnson County (36%).

Resident feedback

Johnson County recently conducted a resident budget survey about how to fund growing demand for essential county services. Based on the survey, a majority of residents believe that:

Johnson County has experienced significant growth in the past 15 years (96%),
Demand for essential services has increased (76%),
The future of state and federal funding is uncertain (63%), and
The county will need additional funding to maintain and improve essential services in the futures (59%).

The annual community survey earlier this year showed that emergency medical/ambulance services and emergency preparedness were among the most important services for the county to provide. Most respondents named safety and low crime as the county’s top priority for the next five years.

Resident feedback will continue to be important to this process. Residents are invited to engage with the county on this topic by filling out this feedback form.

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Department of Corrections

District Attorney

Emergency Services

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Mental Health

Sheriff

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KOMA/KORA

pierce.casey@jocogov.org — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:47:17 +0000

KOMA/KORA pierce.casey@j… Mon, 03/03/2025 - 10:47

KOMA/KORA Information

The Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.) grants you the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records created or maintained by public agencies in Kansas.

Submit a Records Request

The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office investigates violations of the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.) and the Kansas Open Meetings Act (K.S.A. 75-4317 et seq.) occurring within Johnson County.

Submit a Complaint

Completed forms should be mailed or returned to:

Johnson County District Attorney’s Office

Attn: Open Records

150 W. Santa Fe Street, 3rd Floor

Olathe, KS 66601

Veterans Treatment Court honors latest graduates during Feb. 26 ceremony

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:07:03 +0000

Veterans Treatment Court honors latest graduates during Feb. 26 ceremony tim.dodderidge… Wed, 02/26/2025 - 11:07 February 26, 2025

Left to right: Judge Timothy P. McCarthy; Mark McMahon, Friends in Service of Heroes; Andrew Bergman, veterans treatment court graduate; Bill Meyer, Bergman's mentor in the program

Johnson County’s veterans treatment court honored its latest program graduates with a ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Johnson County Courthouse.

Among the graduates included the first graduate to serve in the Coast Guard. A total of four veterans were honored during the graduation:

Mark Sterling – Army (1985-1989)
Justin Scoville – Coast Guard, Active Duty (2002-2022)
Andrew Bergman – Army (2001-2015)
Brian Burch – Army (2006-2012)

After Wednesday’s ceremony, a total of 79 veterans have graduated from veterans treatment court in Johnson County.

District Court Judge Timothy P. McCarthy, who spearheaded the effort to bring veterans treatment court to the county, presided over the recognition ceremony. Courthouse and county officials were present for the ceremony.

Johnson County District Court founded the first treatment court for veterans in the state of Kansas in January 2016. A year later, veterans treatment court recognized its first veteran to graduate from the program.

A behavioral health court and an adult treatment court launched in 2023, joining the county's veterans treatment court in serving individuals’ mental health and substance use disorder needs.

Veterans treatment court’s mission is to identify veterans in the criminal justice system and to place eligible service people into treatment and court supervision as an alternative to incarceration.

Learn more about Veterans Treatment Court and court services available in Johnson County.

Department:

Court Services

District Attorney

District Courts

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News

Three Commissioners, Sheriff and District Attorney take oath of office

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:06:18 +0000

Three Commissioners, Sheriff and District Attorney take oath of office tim.dodderidge… Mon, 01/13/2025 - 14:06 January 13, 2025

Left to right: Commissioner Julie Brewer, Commissioner Jeff Myers, District Attorney Steve Howe, Sheriff Byron Roberson and Commissioner Shirley Allenbrand

Five elected officials were sworn into office for four-year terms during an inauguration ceremony today, including three Board of County Commissioners members, the District Attorney and the Sheriff.

The Honorable Charles Droege, chief judge of the Tenth Judicial District Court, administered the oath of office.

Mike Kelly, chairman of the BOCC, served as master of ceremonies. He asked the public to support the five elected officials as they face the work ahead.

“It is incredibly important to support your elected officials as they work to advance community interests,” he said. “Whether you voted for them or not, I hope you join me in that call to help support these five incredible men and women as they work to make Johnson County the best place to live in America.”

District Attorney Steve Howe was re-elected to his fifth term. He joined the District Attorney’s Office in 1991 as an assistant district attorney after serving in that role in Shawnee County for three years.
Byron Roberson, elected to his first term as Johnson County Sheriff, was also sworn in. Roberson brings 30 years of law enforcement experience to the sheriff’s position and most recently was the Chief of Police for Prairie Village, Kansas. He began at the PVPD in 1995 and was named chief in 2020.
Julie Brewer was sworn in as the new county commissioner representing the Third District. She brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, most recently serving as the executive director of United Community Services of Johnson County until retiring in July 2023.
Re-elected county commissioners Jeff Meyers, representing the Second District, and Shirley Allenbrand, representing the Sixth District also took the oath of office. Both are beginning their second terms.

The new Board will meet for its first time at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16. You can watch a video of the swearing-in ceremony, as well as livestreams of Board of County Commissioner meetings, through the county’s YouTube channel.

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