KC Reporter

A Kansas City, Missouri man has been charged in federal court for making a hoax telephone call that resulted in the detention of an IRS employee and a lockdown at the IRS office on Pershing Road.

Anthony M. Alford, 46, was charged in a criminal complaint filed under seal in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City on Friday, Sept. 27. The complaint was unsealed today following Alford’s arrest and initial court appearance. He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Friday, Oct. 4.

The criminal complaint alleges that Alford made a hoax call to emergency services, falsely claiming that someone was armed with a firearm and threatening to shoot people at an IRS building.

According to an affidavit supporting the complaint, Alford called 911 on Sept. 10, 2024, reporting that "Victim One" had a gun and intended to shoot up the Internal Revenue Service building at 333 W. Pershing Road in Kansas City. Victim One is identified as an IRS employee.

Kansas City police officers were dispatched to the building where they contacted IRS security and Federal Protective Service officers. Victim One was detained and searched for weapons based on the 911 call. The B-Wing of the IRS building was locked down following the call. The IRS announced an active shooter situation and instructed those in the B-Wing to stay locked down.

Victim One was found unarmed and told investigators she had been dating Alford for about a month but was trying to end their relationship. She described him as controlling, possessive, and jealous but not violent. She reported receiving numerous calls and messages from Alford the previous night, including threats to involve police earlier that morning.

Investigators interviewed Alford who admitted that Victim One did not threaten to shoot up the IRS Building as he had claimed in his 911 call. He stated his intention was to cause trouble for Victim One at work.

"The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations," reads part of the official statement regarding Alford's case. "Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley and investigated by several agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service, Kansas City Police Department, and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

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