Missouri
Missouri lawsuit accusing China of hoarding pandemic gear can proceed, appeals panel says
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri lawsuit accusing China of hoarding masks and other protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic can move forward, federal judges ruled Wednesday.
A panel of the U.S. Eighth District Court of Appeals panel, however, otherwise agreed with a lower court’s 2022 ruling that tossed out Missouri’s case entirely, finding that federal rules prohibit a sovereign foreign entity from being sued in American courts. The state alleged that China’s officials were to blame for the pandemic because they didn’t do enough to slow its spread.
The appeals panel found that only one claim may proceed: an allegation that China hoarded personal protective equipment.
“Missouri’s overarching theory is that China leveraged the world’s ignorance about COVID-19,” Judge David Stras wrote in the ruling. “One way it did so was by manipulating the worldwide personal-protective-equipment market. Missouri must still prove it, but it has alleged enough to allow the claim to proceed beyond a jurisdictional dismissal on the pleadings.”
Chief Judge Lavenski Smith dissented, writing that the whole lawsuit should be dismissed.
“Immunity for foreign states under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, while not impenetrable, is quite stout and stronger than the claim alleged in this case,” Smith wrote. “It is certainly not strong enough to justify judicial intervention into an arena well populated with substantial political and diplomatic concerns.”
Missouri Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office filed the lawsuit, lauded the ruling Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Attorney General State of Missouri Andrew Bailey testifies during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Washington. Credit: AP/Mariam Zuhaib
“We are headed back to court to pursue remedies,” he posted.
The lawsuit, filed in April 2020, alleged that Chinese officials were “responsible for the enormous death, suffering, and economic losses they inflicted on the world, including Missourians.”
Neither the Chinese government nor any other Chinese defendant named in the case has responded to the lawsuit in court.
The Lawyers for Upholding International Law and The China Society of Private International Law filed briefs defending China against the lawsuit. Associated Press emails and voice messages left with lawyers for the groups were not immediately returned Wednesday.
China has criticized the lawsuit as “very absurd” and said it has no factual and legal basis. Legal experts have mostly panned it as a stunt aimed at shifting blame to China for the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Between January 6, 2025, and January 8, 2025, the Missouri State Highway Patrol made a total of eight arrests across north Missouri. The charges ranged from driving while intoxicated to felony parole violations.
It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to jail. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically taken to jail.
Paul C. Schuetz, 53, of Savannah, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 7:05 PM, Paul C. Schuetz was arrested in Andrew County. Schuetz was charged with failing to drive on the right half of the roadway and driving while intoxicated (alcohol). He was held at the Andrew County Law Enforcement Center on a 12-hour hold.
Roberto Lopez-Vargas, 31, of Des Moines, Iowa
Roberto Lopez-Vargas was arrested in Clinton County on January 8, 2025, at 5:37 PM. He faced charges of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, a felony, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, a misdemeanor. Lopez-Vargas was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office on a 24-hour hold.
Derrick A. Woodruff, 41, of Kahoka, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 12:50 PM, Derrick A. Woodruff was arrested in Scotland County. His charges included driving while intoxicated (first offense), failure to maintain the right half of the roadway, and driving without insurance. Woodruff was held at the Clark County Jail on a 12-hour hold.
John W. Snell, 38, of Knox City, Missouri
John W. Snell was arrested in Lewis County on January 7, 2025, at 1:16 AM. He was taken into custody on a Shelby County warrant for a moving traffic violation. Snell was held at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and was bondable.
Peggy A. Stepuszek, 67, of Lockport, Illinois
On January 7, 2025, at 11:50 AM, Peggy A. Stepuszek was arrested in Macon County. She was charged with driving while intoxicated (alcohol) and speeding. Stepuszek was held at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and later released.
Dillion S. Levings, 38, of Paris, Missouri
At 2:11 PM on January 7, 2025, Dillion S. Levings was arrested in Randolph County. He faced charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, and failure to register a motor vehicle. Levings was held at the Randolph County Jail and was bondable.
Anthony R. Miller, 39, of Arbela, Missouri
On January 7, 2025, at 4:40 PM, Anthony R. Miller was arrested in Clark County. Miller faced charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Clark County facility.
Jeffrey L. Kimbal, 45, of Brookfield, Missouri
Jeffrey L. Kimbal was arrested on January 7, 2025, at 6:44 PM in Linn County. Kimbal faced a felony charge for a parole violation warrant. He was held at the Linn County Jail without bond.
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Missouri
Firebug sentenced to 12 years in prison for torching occupied Missouri home using Takis chips
She took the meaning of Takis Fuego literally.
A Missouri woman was sentenced to 12 years behind bars after she intentionally torched a home full of people using a bag of Takis tortilla chips.
Patricia Williams, 44, was handed her sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty to first-degree arson for sparking the Aug. 11, 2023, blaze in Greene County, multiple outlets reported.
Williams admitted to authorities that she used the spicy snack to start the fire knowing it would combust due to its high grease content, according to court documents.
The convicted arsonist was captured on surveillance footage purchasing $2 of gasoline at a nearby gas station before entering a home and pouring the petrol from a soda bottle onto a pile of clothes and all over the laundry room floor.
The firebug then ignited the Takis chips and tossed the flaming bag onto the gasoline-soaked garments, setting the house ablaze, according to court documents.
Three people managed to escape the home without injury and reported Williams to the police after witnessing her brazen deed.
The pyro was later discovered with soot still on her face and was booked at Greene County Jail, local outlets reported.
Police also found Williams had several warrants out for her arrest, court documents show.
The relationship between Williams and the victims remains unclear.
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