On Sept. 20, 2024, Ethan G. Ross threatened an employee of the Tonganoxie Sonic Drive-In, according to a release from the office of Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson. This interaction began when Ross was seen throwing trash from the vehicle onto the ground in the parking lot. The employee asked Ross to pick up the trash, but he refused, and he and his companion left the parking lot in a dark-colored SUV. Approximately 10 minutes later, Ross returned to the Sonic and threatened the victim.

Tonganoxie police reviewed surveillance video from inside the store and posted an image on the department’s Facebook page in hopes of identifying the suspect. Following the post, the department received a phone call from an anonymous individual who identified Ross. Officers then searched Facebook and identified a possible owner of the vehicle Ross had been in during the incident.

On Nov. 24, 2024, officers stopped the dark-colored SUV and arrested Ross. He was in possession of a handgun at the time of his arrest. Between the incident at Sonic and his arrest, Ross pleaded guilty to and was convicted of a charge in an unrelated case, making him a convicted felon. On Friday, Apr. 11, 2025, Ross pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Threat related to the Sonic incident and to Criminal Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.

“Threats of violence and gun crimes are taken seriously in Leavenworth County,” Thompson said. “Everyone has the right to feel safe at their place of work.”

Sentencing is set for May 21, 2025.