Guilty plea in boy’s death that sparked federal task force

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A man has pleaded guilty in the death of a 4-year-old Kansas City boy, whose killing led to a federal anti-crime task force.

Ryson Ellis, 24, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder and other charges in the shooting death of Legend Taliferro in June 2020.

Ellis was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

The child was killed by a bullet fired into his father’s apartment while he slept.

Shortly after his death, the administration of Donald Trump launched a nationwide crackdown on violent crime and named it Operation Legend to honor the boy.

Federal agents were sent to Kansas City and other U.S. cities to help investigate violent crimes.