State trooper accused of towing corruption scheme

A grand jury indicted a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper for his alleged involvement in a towing corruption scheme, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office.

Following more than a year of investigation, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced May 18 that Cpl. Charles “Nate” Bradely, 51, will face charges stemming from his alleged participation in a corruption scheme that involved Kansas City tow truck operators and stolen vehicles.

“Today, we announce the beginning of the process to hold accountable a man who took an oath to protect and serve the people of Missouri, but who instead allegedly abused that power entrusted to him,” Johnson said during a press conference announcing the indictment. “A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper is accused of using his badge not to protect vulnerable people in Jackson County, but to take advantage of them.”

Here’s what you should know about the alleged scheme and Bradley’s charges.

Prosecutor alleges ‘excessive’ profits for towing companies

Bradley was indicted by a grand jury April 30. He is facing 13 charges, including 10 counts of tampering with physical evidence, and one count each of acceding to corruption by a public servant, stealing $25,000 or more, and first-degree property damage.

An attorney for Bradley was not publicly available online.

According to the prosecutor’s office, in the the scheme, Bradley would purposely delay picking up stolen vehicles in his capacity as a state trooper, effectively “preventing proper evidence collection and investigation.”

Instead, he allegedly allowed private towing companies to retrieve the vehicles before law enforcement got involved, and turn a profit on “excessive storage and towing fees.”

As a result, those who had their vehicles stolen, and subsequently towed, were coerced into paying thousands of dollars to retrieve their vehicles or forfeit them entirely, the prosecutor’s office alleges.

In one of the charges detailed in the indictment, Bradley allegedly told a tow truck driver to intentionally damage a 2017 Alfa Romeo, so that it would have to be towed from the scene.

Alleged bribes, gifts

Meanwhile, the indictment alleges that Bradley accepted gifts and bribes from tow truck companies.

He is also accused of possessing a necklace valued at $25,000 that had been stolen during a jewelry store robbery. He allegedly concealed the necklace, despite knowing that it was evidence in an active investigation. The indictment accuses Bradley of “impairing and obstructing the prosecution of a felony.”

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Kansas City Police Department led the investigation, with the assistance of the Missouri Department of Revenue and the Leawood Kansas Police Department, the prosecutor’s office said in its news release.

MSHP responds to investigation

Bradley turned himself into authorities May 15 and was released on a $30,000 bond, the prosecutor’s office said in its news release.

In a statement shared with USA TODAY, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said it is “aware of the arrest of Corporal Nate Bradley, 51, following a criminal investigation,” adding, “The Patrol is fully cooperating with the investigation. In accordance with Patrol policy, our Professional Standards Division has been notified of the incident.”

MSHP told USA TODAY that Bradley had been with the Patrol since 1997. He was assigned to the Division of Drug and Crime Control as a criminal investigator for MSHP Troop A.

He was placed on unpaid leave May 5, “while the administrative review process continues,” MSHP said.