Warsaw man accused of cheating consumers

WARSAW — Attorney General Jay Nixon has filed a lawsuit against a Warsaw man alleging he cheated consumers out of money in online purchases.

The man, Johnnie Ray Adams, was doing business as Missouri Cannon Works, and sold several consumers from around the country full-scale replica Civil War cannons and parts online. Adams neither delivered the merchandise nor refunded the money, Nixon alleges.

Adams’ father, Johnnie Randall Adams, 53, also of Warsaw, said the lawsuit filed last week has caused him problems because he runs a cannon business but has nothing to do with the allegations in the suit or with his son.

He said people in Warsaw were confusing the two men and their companies.

“I am not involved with him in no way, shape or form,” said the elder Adams, who runs Artillerymen Cannon Co. on the Web site, www.theartillerymencannoncompany.com.

The lawsuit says the younger Adams advertised and sold Civil War-replica ordnance through his Web site and required customers to make advance payments for their orders with personal checks or wire transfers.

The suit filed in Benton County Circuit Court specifies that three consumers, Nickie Saunders, of Partridge, Kan., paid $3,000; Brian Merrill, of Goose Creek, S.C., paid $608; and David Barton, of Tucson, Ariz., paid $4,250 to Missouri Cannon Works. None of them received the goods.

The suit seeks an injunction preventing Adams from selling Civil War replica cannons; an order requiring him to pay restitution; a $1,000 fine; and 10 percent penalties.

The lawsuit asks the court to issue a finding that Adams violated Missouri consumer protection laws.

Johnnie Randall Adams, who lives at 26744 Waterview Drive, said he doesn’t speak to his son, Johnny Ray Adams, 30, of 29129 Gazelle Circle.
The elder Adams said he acquired two cannons in 1985 and participates in Heritage Days and Old River Days in Warsaw.