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Press Release

Kansas Woman Sentenced for Witness Retaliation Plot

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Nebraska

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kate Ruth, age 36, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal Court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr sentenced Ruth to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ruth’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In the fall of 2021, Johnny Dolph (hereinafter “Dolph”) was being investigated by the United States Secret Service for financial crimes to include crimes involving counterfeit currency and checks. Dolph claims to be a “shot caller” in the Irish Mob Gang, a street gang that originated in Oklahoma. In September 2021, Victim 1’s husband was arrested in Nebraska for forgery counts. Victim 1’s husband was coming to Nebraska to assist Dolph in his forgery activities. Following Victim 1’s husband’s arrest, Dolph and Jennifer Norwood A/K/A Jennifer Dolph (hereinafter “Norwood”) began contacting Victim 1 in attempts to prevent her from cooperating with law enforcement. Dolph believed Victim 1 and Victim 1’s husband were cooperating with law enforcement. As a result, Dolph put a “green light” on Victim 1 and her husband.

In October 2021, a search warrant was obtained through the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for Dolph’s apartment in Omaha. This search warrant was signed by Magistrate Judge Susan Bazis and the affiant for the warrant was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. 

Following the execution of the search warrant, Dolph and Norwood began researching the affiant agent and magistrate judge listed on the search warrant. Dolph and Norwood also reached out to individuals outside of Nebraska providing information about Victim 1, where Victim 1 resides, and where family members of Victim 1 lived.

On November 19, 2021, Dolph contacted Ruth and requested that she travel from Kansas to Omaha, Nebraska to attempt to carry out his “green light” on Victim 1. Dolph instructed Ruth to go to Greyhound and attempt to pick up a ticket that had been purchased in a third party’s name. Ruth was instead driven to Nebraska from Kansas by Juanita Gibson (hereinafter “Gibson”).  Gibson obtained a red pickup truck to drive she and Ruth to Omaha. During the drive to Nebraska, Dolph sent Gibson and Ruth money for gas over CashApp, inquired to the status of their travel, and provided directions on where to park once they arrived at his apartment.

Dolph and Norwood let Gibson and Ruth stay at their apartment in Omaha. While there, Dolph, Norwood, Gibson, and Ruth researched Victim 1.

Victim 1’s husband was sentenced in 2022 to time-served after serving a nine-month sentence for possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a document making implement or authentication feature and is currently serving a five-year term of supervised release. On August 17, 2023, Dolph was sentenced to a total of 150 months’ imprisonment for felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm following a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; 2 counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm; conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings; tampering with documents or proceedings; 2 counts of conspiracy to assault a witness; and 2 counts for attempted assault of a witness.  On November 21, 2023, Gibson was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. On February 9, 2024, Norwood was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to tamper with a document or proceedings, conspiracy to assault a witness, and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Omaha Police Department, and the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Contact

Lecia Wright - Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney (402) 661-3700

Updated September 10, 2024