A KCUR investigation revealed that the Lenexa Police Department wrongly suspected Canyen Ashworth of a crime due to a misconnected investigation linking his critical op-ed about the department with unrelated poster-hanging incidents. Despite lacking concrete evidence or a specific charge, officers issued a BOLO for Ashworth, using license plate reader data to track his movements and justify a stop. This “make your own case” (MYOC) tactic, combined with a focus on his footwear, drew sharp criticism from civil liberties advocates who decried it as an abuse of power and a chilling effect on free speech. The former police chief, who initiated the investigation before leaving for a new role, has not commented on the specifics, while city officials deny knowledge of the investigation’s details.