Judge adds more conditions to Bobby Landis' probation

Just three weeks after denying Joplin businessman Bobby Landis' request for an early release from his probation, U. S. District Court Judge Douglas Harpool has added more conditions to his probation.

The reasons for the changes were not spelled out in Harpool's order, but they came from information included a memorandum Harpool received today from the federal probation office.

For good and sufficient cause, as shown by the U.S. Probation Office in its memorandum of February 27, 2017, and a hearing having been waived by defendant, it is hereby ORDERED that the following be added to the conditions of supervised release for Robert W Landis: 

The defendant shall submit his person, and any property, house, residence, office, vehicle, papers, computer, other electronic communication or data storage devices or media and effects to a search at any time, conducted by a U.S. Probation Officer at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, based upon reasonable suspicion of contraband or evidence of a violation of a condition of release; failure to submit to a search may be grounds for revocation; the defendant shall warn any other residents that the premises may be subject to searches pursuant to this condition.

Landis, who served almost three years in a federal penitentiary for not paying federal taxes at his business, still has a year remaining on his probation.

U. S. Assistant District Attorney Steven Mohlenreich, in documents filed February 2, stated the government's opposition to Landis' early release, noting that though he has paid $5,749.59 of the money he is required to reimburse, he still owes more than six million dollars.

Mohlenreich pointed out that Landis, while serving in prison "conducted business with another inmate having a history of fraud and requested permission to continue this business arrangement while on supervised release. Landis also violated a condition of his probation by opening a new line of credit.