Feds defer prosecution of online gamer in Wichita hoax case

The government has agreed to an alternative to prosecution of a Kansas online gamer whose dispute sparked a hoax call that resulted in police shooting a man who lived at his former Wichita home.

U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren approved on Friday the joint motion for deferred prosecution that had been filed earlier in the day by prosecutors and the attorney for 20-year-old Shane Gaskill of Wichita.  Such agreements typically result in charges being dropped if a defendant fulfills all its conditions.

Gaskill is charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and making false statements.

The judge deferred court proceedings and discovery during a period ending on Deceber 31st, 2020 and ordered Gaskill to pay $1,000 in restitution, costs and penalties as required under the deal.

Copyright © 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.