Rivera, Zoll & Kipper Face Federal Charges in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – A federal grand jury in Jefferson City has handed down indictments against three individuals, alleging a range of serious federal offenses. The cases, revealed today, paint a grim picture of criminal activity stretching across state lines and impacting the safety of Missouri communities.

Joanna Fabian Rivera, 33, of Arizona, is facing two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine. According to the indictment, a traffic stop on May 3, 2025, uncovered packages of both drugs hidden within her vehicle. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn, with investigation credit going to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Rivera’s next court date is pending.

In a particularly disturbing case, Alex Mills Zoll, 42, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with three counts related to child exploitation offenses. The indictment details allegations that between May 11, 2025, and June 1, 2025, Zoll enticed a minor into sexual activity, attempted to create child pornography, and transmitted obscene material across state lines. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Turner is leading the prosecution, with investigative support from the Boone County and Callaway County Sheriff’s Offices, and the FBI. This is a developing situation with potential for severe consequences.

Aaron James Kipper, 34, of Columbia, Missouri, is accused of illegally possessing firearms. The indictment states that on June 27, 2025, Kipper, a convicted felon with a prior sentence exceeding one year, was found in possession of a Taurus .357 revolver and a Jennings .22 caliber semi-automatic firearm. Federal law strictly prohibits convicted felons from owning firearms or ammunition. Cecily L. Hicks is the Assistant U.S. Attorney on this case, with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducting the investigation.

These indictments are not proof of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a federal court of law. The evidence will be presented to a jury, who will ultimately decide the fate of each individual. The Rivera and Kipper cases are connected to Operation Take Back America, a sweeping national initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and protecting communities from violent crime. This operation combines the resources of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The Zoll case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to fight child sexual exploitation and abuse. This project brings together federal, state, and local resources to identify and prosecute offenders and rescue victims. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc. Grimy Times will continue to follow these cases and provide updates as they become available.

RELATED: Arizona Woman Busted with Heroin & Cocaine