A trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol is facing several charges in connection with a towing corruption scheme after more than a year of investigation. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced that Charles “Nate” Bradley, an MSHP trooper, was indicted by a grand jury. Bradley has been charged with 10 counts of tampering with physical evidence, one count of acceding to corruption by a public servant, one count of stealing and one count of first-degree property damage. Prosecutors allege that Bradley used his position as a trooper to help towing companies profit. He also allegedly stored stolen vehicles improperly, preventing evidence collection. The improper storage, without law enforcement involvement, allowed these towing companies to charge excessive fees, forcing victims of the alleged scheme to pay thousands or give up their vehicles. Bradley reportedly accepted gifts from a towing operator involved in the scheme. He also received a stolen necklace worth at least $25,000, which was taken during a jewelry store burglary, Johnson said. He allegedly kept this necklace in his possession and did not follow evidence recovery procedures. In connection with one incident, Bradley told a tow truck driver to damage a stolen vehicle to disable it, Johnson said. Bradley was indicted April 30. He self-surrendered on May 15 and was released on a $30,000 bond. The MSHP said Bradley joined the patrol in July 1997. He is assigned to the Division of Drug and Crime Control as a criminal investigator in Troop A. “We are aware of the arrest of Corporal Nate Bradley following a criminal investigation,” the highway patrol said in a statement to KMBC 9. “In accordance with Patrol policy, our Professional Standards Division has been notified of the incident. While the administrative review process continues, Corporal Bradley is on administrative leave without pay, which was effective May 5, 2026. In January 2023, a Missouri state representative created a resolution to recognize Bradley for his work in recovering more than 300 stolen vehicles in the Kansas City metro the year prior. The MSHP shared in a social media post that Bradley had conducted hundreds of auto theft investigations, praising him for investigative skills and work ethic. A photo shared shows him holding a plaque to commemorate the honor. On its website, the North Central Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators lists Bradley as a past president of the chapter. The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Kansas City Police Department, the Missouri Department of Revenue and the Leawood, Kansas, Police Department all assisted in the investigation.
A trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol is facing several charges in connection with a towing corruption scheme after more than a year of investigation.
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced that Charles “Nate” Bradley, an MSHP trooper, was indicted by a grand jury. Bradley has been charged with 10 counts of tampering with physical evidence, one count of acceding to corruption by a public servant, one count of stealing and one count of first-degree property damage.
Prosecutors allege that Bradley used his position as a trooper to help towing companies profit. He also allegedly stored stolen vehicles improperly, preventing evidence collection. The improper storage, without law enforcement involvement, allowed these towing companies to charge excessive fees, forcing victims of the alleged scheme to pay thousands or give up their vehicles.
Bradley reportedly accepted gifts from a towing operator involved in the scheme. He also received a stolen necklace worth at least $25,000, which was taken during a jewelry store burglary, Johnson said. He allegedly kept this necklace in his possession and did not follow evidence recovery procedures.
In connection with one incident, Bradley told a tow truck driver to damage a stolen vehicle to disable it, Johnson said.
Bradley was indicted April 30. He self-surrendered on May 15 and was released on a $30,000 bond.
The MSHP said Bradley joined the patrol in July 1997. He is assigned to the Division of Drug and Crime Control as a criminal investigator in Troop A.
“We are aware of the arrest of Corporal Nate Bradley following a criminal investigation,” the highway patrol said in a statement to KMBC 9. “In accordance with Patrol policy, our Professional Standards Division has been notified of the incident. While the administrative review process continues, Corporal Bradley is on administrative leave without pay, which was effective May 5, 2026.
In January 2023, a Missouri state representative created a resolution to recognize Bradley for his work in recovering more than 300 stolen vehicles in the Kansas City metro the year prior. The MSHP shared in a social media post that Bradley had conducted hundreds of auto theft investigations, praising him for investigative skills and work ethic. A photo shared shows him holding a plaque to commemorate the honor.
On its website, the North Central Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators lists Bradley as a past president of the chapter.
The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Kansas City Police Department, the Missouri Department of Revenue and the Leawood, Kansas, Police Department all assisted in the investigation.
