06-05-2025
Metro Tow owner, mother plead not guilty to illegal towing charges
The owner of a Kansas City towing company and his mother pleaded not guilty Monday to 18 felony charges for illegal towing practices, court records show.
Donald Adamson, the owner of Metro Tow and Transport, and his mother, Lannette Adamson, were both charged with four counts of stealing, four counts of forgery, and one count of first-degree harassment in Jackson County.
The pair is accused of falsifying documents to illegally tow vehicles without proper authorization, charging victims large and illegal fees, and holding vehicles. The charges came after a months-long investigation following multiple complaints to Kansas City police stretching back several years, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said in a news release when charges were announced on April 15.
The Adamsons appeared in court on Monday with separate attorneys to enter their pleas. They are both scheduled to return to court for a settlement conference on June 11.
The two also have a pending case in Platte County where they are both charged with three felony counts of tampering with a motor vehicle and three felony counts of forgery.
There is also an investigation into felony property damage of a pole camera near the company's tow lot that was shot out in late March.
Someone in a black pickup truck, consistent with a 1996 to 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, was seen firing rounds at the camera. Five shell casings were collected from the scene near the camera, which is valued at more than $5,000. Metro Tow employees and Adamson are suspected in the shooting, prosecutors said.
Two days after the announcement of charges, tow truck driver James Basham was charged with two counts of felony harassment for allegedly blocking two journalists in their car at Metro Tow's lot.
The Adamsons' arrests sparked quick reaction from local lawmakers who said the community has been victims of these practices for years.
The Kansas City City Council passed an ordinance on Thursday, sponsored by councilmember Darrell Curls, that includes establishing a 'towed vehicle owner' bill of rights, an online system to report all tows and a public awareness campaign to inform citizens about illegal towing. Kansas City currently already has ordinances against non-consensual towing.
Officials must return to the council in 30 days with a status report.
The Jackson County legislature is aiming to pass an ordinance that requires a tow license, registration, and penalties for companies that don't comply. The county's proposed ordinance, sponsored by legislators DaRon McGee and Venessa Huskey, will also require fees for its towing license.
Tow companies would have to pay Jackson County $1,000 per year and $250 per vehicle for a tow license at the beginning of next year.
Kansas City police also recently opened a tip line for victims of predatory towing, where they have received more than 100 complaints, spokesperson Cpt. Jake Becchina previously told The Star.
Previous reporting by Ilana Arougheti contributed to this article.
