Missouri State Trooper Accused in Elaborate Towing Plot

An investigation for the past year has resulted in an indictment of a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper who is accused of an elaborate towing scheme plot.

I just came across the details of what a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper is accused of on trucking site CDL Life. They referred to a statement released by the Jackson County, Missouri Prosecutor's Office that alleges a state highway patrol trooper was involved in inappropriate dealings regarding towing companies in the Kansas City, Missouri area. The statement says Charles “Nate” Bradley of the Missouri State Highway Patrol has been indicted on 13 charges including the following:

• Ten Counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence
• One Count of Acceding to Corruption by a Public Servant
• One Count of Stealing -- $25,000 or More
• One Count of 1st Degree Property Damage

The indictment says that the officer attempted to "help towing companies profit from towing and storing stolen vehicles without proper law enforcement involvement, preventing proper evidence collection and investigation". The allegations also say that the officer received gifts for giving the towing companies access to stolen vehicles. He is also alleged to have received a stolen neckless worth more than $25,000 and held it in his possession without notifying authorities or the victim of the recovery of the neckless.

The officer surrendered to authorities to face the charges on Friday, May 15, 2026 and was then released on a $30,000 bond. The prosecutor's office emphasizes that the "defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty".