Cryptocurrency is a form of digital currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of central banks.
The Ankeny Police Department is asking anyone from Ankeny and across the Des Moines metro to come forward if they think they may be a victim of a Missouri man who is accused of running a cryptocurrency investment scam.
Charles Spencer Burri of Columbia, Missouri, was arrested and charged with financial exploitation of an elder and stealing $750 or more. The Columbia Police Department alleged Burri — owner and operator of Burri Asset Management LLC — has solicited thousands of dollars for cryptocurrency investments but stopped responding to victims after he received their money.
Advertisement
Columbia police reported to Ankeny they had uncovered evidence Burri possibly met with people in Ankeny and the Des Moines metro in July 2025, according to a news release Friday, Jan. 2.
Ankeny police believe there may be additional victims in the area who have not been identified, according to the release. Sgt. Trevor McGraw in Ankeny said Monday that no victims had come forward over the weekend.
Anyone who Burri or Burri Asset Management LLC may have contacted, or who has experienced financial loss through a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme, is encouraged to contact the Ankeny Police Department through its non-emergency line at 515-286-3333, extension 5, and file a report.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at PSitter@usatodayco.com.Find out more about him onlinein the Register’s staff directory.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) – It’s been a little over one week since Missouri’s lawmakers called it quits for the year, but that doesn’t mean they’re all happy with what was accomplished, or what was not accomplished.
Artificial intelligence continues to spread into every area of our lives, and it’s largely unchecked by government regulations.
In Missouri, 100 bills were passed this year, but none of them regulate the use of artificial intelligence. Over a dozen ideas on how to regulate AI were presented by lawmakers, but all the bills died before the end of the regular legislative session.
State lawmakers cannot explore AI or data center regulations again until the new legislative session starts in January 2027.
Advertisement
AI regulations are popular with Missouri voters. Only 16% of Missouri voters polled by YouGov and SLU believe recent AI innovations had a positive effect on society. Regulating artificial intelligence is also popular with both parties.
Bolivar Republican Rep. Christopher Warwick wants to see protections for children.
“My heart is is to make sure that we’re protecting our kids. We want to protect Missourians in general, but when the AI starts affecting our kids,” Warwick said.
While St. Louis Democratic Sen. Doug Beck says we need to make it clear what is and isn’t AI.
“That can be very scary, and some of the things they can do with it, you don’t know what’s real and what isn’t real,” Beck said.
Advertisement
The explosion of AI is leading to more and more data centers, including many projects here in Missouri. Though many in Missouri are currently fighting to keep data centers from their neighborhoods, their growth is something Gov. Mike Kehoe appreciates.
“As President Trump said, AI is the space race of our time. And certainly Missouri wants to be involved in that race and wants to continue to lead,” Kehoe said at an event in Montgomery County to celebrate a new Google data center.
President Trump issued an executive order telling states to rely on federal AI regulations, but Congress is on a summer vacation without having passed any AI bills.
The executive order President Trump put out says funding for rural broadband could be at risk if state lawmakers don’t align with his plan. A Utah lawmaker was told by the Trump administration that his bill doesn’t fit into their AI plan.
The executive order reads, “United States AI companies must be free to innovate without cumbersome regulation. But excessive State regulation thwarts this imperative. First, State-by-State regulation by definition creates a patchwork of 50 different regulatory regimes that makes compliance more challenging, particularly for start-ups.”
Two Affinia Healthcare employees were recognized for their work in community health during the recent Community Health Workers Association of Missouri conference.
Candace Henderson, Affinia’s director of community health, received the organization’s Individual and Community Capacity Building Award after being nominated in eight categories. Henderson leads a team of community health workers who connect residents with health screenings and other services.
Naila Hudson, a community health worker with Affinia, received the Individual and Community Assessment Award. Her duties include coordinating mobile mammography events, conducting health screenings and assisting with the organization’s food pantry.
