KC Reporter

A Kansas City man has admitted guilt in a federal court for making a hoax call that resulted in the lockdown of an IRS office. Anthony M. Alford, aged 46, pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally conveying false and misleading information before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough.

Alford acknowledged that he made a fraudulent emergency call on September 10, 2024, falsely claiming that someone was armed and threatening violence at the IRS building located at 333 W. Pershing Road in Kansas City, Missouri. The individual targeted by this claim is referred to as "Victim One" in court documents and is an employee of the IRS.

Following Alford's call, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to the scene where they coordinated with IRS security and Federal Protective Service officers. As a result of the false report, Victim One was detained and searched for weapons while the B-Wing of the IRS building was placed under lockdown due to an active shooter alert issued by the IRS.

Victim One was found unarmed and had no intention of causing harm. She informed investigators about her relationship with Alford, which she intended to end after dating him for about a month. She described Alford's behavior as controlling and possessive but not violent. Prior to making the hoax call, Alford had sent messages indicating his intent to involve law enforcement.

Alford was apprehended on September 25, 2024, later admitting he fabricated claims about Victim One threatening violence at the IRS building while under the influence of alcohol.

The federal statutes stipulate that Alford could face up to five years in prison without parole; however, his actual sentence will be determined based on advisory guidelines following a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley is prosecuting this case which involved investigations conducted by multiple agencies including Homeland Security's Federal Protective Service, Kansas City Police Department, and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.