For Immediate Release
Sept. 15, 2023

A 25-year-old Kansas City man was sentenced Friday to life in prison for the kidnapping and murder in May 2021 of Gilberto Gutierrez, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

A Jackson County judge sentenced Rashaud Q. Lewis, dob: 9/19/1997, to life in prison or 30 years in prison for a Murder 2nd Degree conviction and 16 additional years in prison for convictions of Kidnapping 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.  Prosecutors had requested a prison sentence of more than 30 years after a Jackson County jury convicted the defendant in July.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on May 11, 2021, on a reported missing person and the victim's family told them they had not heard from their father. But bloody clothing of the victim had been found. On May 17, 2021, a dead male body was found; it was wrapped in a tarp and found near 56th and Elmwood. The victim was identified. He died from several stab wounds. Evidence established that the defendant purchased the vehicle used to kidnap the victim. During a search of a property associated with the defendant, police detectives found cleaning supplies and a zip tie consistent with a zip tie found at the victim’s ranch. Tests for DNA showed the victim’s DNA on the zip tied recovered from the defendant’s property. 

Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Caitlin Brock, Jennifer Tatum prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur, Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile : (816) 674-3954
www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com
mmansur@jacksongov.org