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Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Indicted in Jackson County Towing Scheme

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A grand jury has indicted a veteran Missouri State Highway Patrol corporal on 13 criminal counts for his alleged role in a predatory towing and kickback scheme in the Kansas City metro area.

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced the indictment of Corporal Charles "Nate" Bradley, 51, following a year-long joint investigation involving the Kansas City Police Department and the Leawood Police Department. Bradley faces charges of acceding to corruption by a public servant, stealing property valued at $25,000 or more, first-degree property damage, and ten counts of tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution.

Court records indicate Bradley, who was publicly commended by state lawmakers in 2023 for his high volume of auto theft recoveries, allegedly used his position as a criminal investigator to help select private towing operators inflate their storage and towing fees. Prosecutors state Bradley purposefully delayed entering vehicle recovery logs and deleted stolen cars from active police databases. This unauthorized manipulation prevented standard law enforcement evidence collection and forced vehicle owners or their insurance companies to pay more than $67,000 in fraudulent invoices to reclaim their property.

The grand jury indictment further alleges Bradley accepted luxury gifts from a towing operator in exchange for providing unauthorized access to recovered vehicles. In one specific instance detailed by state investigators, Bradley reportedly directed a tow truck operator to intentionally damage a 2017 Alfa Romeo by destroying its valve stems or puncturing its tires, disabling the vehicle so it would be subjected to towing fees. The high-value theft charge stems from allegations Bradley took personal possession of a stolen necklace worth at least $25,000 from an active jewelry store burglary investigation and concealed it from local detectives.

Bradley self-surrendered to law enforcement on Friday, May 15, and was subsequently released after posting a $30,000 bond. The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed Bradley, who joined the agency in 1997, was placed on administrative leave without pay effective May 5 as internal professional standards reviews continue.

Following the courtroom announcement, Prosecutor Johnson emphasized, a badge is a symbol of public trust, and when that trust is broken, absolute systemic accountability must follow. Johnson noted the investigation into the specific towing companies remains open and active.

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