Princeton man indicted for kidnaping, carjacking, firearms violations

A Princeton man was indicted by a federal grand jury Nov. 21, for kidnaping, carjacking, and firearms violations.

Raymond L. Button, 73, of Princeton, Mo., was charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City according to Todd P. Graves, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. This indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint filed against Button on Nov. 5, 2003.

Count One of the federal indictment alleges that Button kidnaped a victim on Nov. 4, 2003, and transported him from Missouri to Iowa. Button allegedly kidnaped the victim for the purpose of aiding in his escape.

Count Two of the federal indictment alleges that on the same day Button stole a 1999 Dodge Ram pick-up truck from that victim. Button took he truck by means of force and violation or by intimidation, the indictment alleges, and at or during the time Button took the truck, he intended to cause death or serious bodily injury.

Count Three of the federal indictment alleges that Button was in possession of a Smith and Wesson .357 caliber revolver, which he used during the crimes of violence alleged in Counts One and Two of the indictment.

Count Four of the federal indictment alleges that Button was in possession of a Smith and Wesson .357 caliber revolver and a Glock .40 caliber pistol on Nov. 4, 2003. Under federal law, Graves explained, it is illegal for anyone convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Button has a 1952 criminal felony conviction for murder and 1983 criminal felony convictions for robbery and possession of an incendiary device.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Button was arrested after law enforcement officers pursued him on US Highway 65 in the stolen vehicle. Button eventually stopped at a roadblock in Iowa and, after placing the two firearms on the vehicle’s dashboard, was taken into custody.

Graves cautioned that the charges contained in the indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jess E. Michaelsen. It was investigated by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department; the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department; the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the Iowa State Patrol; the Wayne County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, and NITRO (Northwest Missouri Interagency Team Response Operation).