A man famous locally as “KC Superman” is being released from jail Thursday after serving a two-day sentence related to multiple charges from 2020 through last year.
Michael Wheeler, 73, was booked into Vernon County jail in mid-Missouri on Tuesday evening after a Kansas City municipal court convicted him Tuesday morning on four separate trespassing charges related to incidents on June 26, 2023; July 23, 2023; Aug. 18, 2023; and Sept. 1, 2023.
The evangelical Christian preacher and runner attained local fame over the years for his practice of running through Kansas City in a Superman-style costume , complete with a long red cape, a football under his arm and an occasional Jesus reference.
Though he said in 2019 that he was passing the mantle, the part-time caped crusader appeared at several local events in the years since, including the 2024 Super Bowl parade . He shared his retirement plans with The Star again earlier this year , saying he planned to pass the cape to Jewell Sol.
Wheeler was previously convicted of trespassing charges from March 18, 2020 and Nov. 18, 2022, but had not yet served the resulting two-day sentences, according to court records. All six of Wheeler’s convictions were the result of jury trials.
Wheeler was initially set to serve a total of four days in jail, according to Kansas City municipal court records. On Thursday, a municipal court judge amended Wheeler’s sentences so that his two-day sentence for the earlier two charges could be be served concurrently with the two-day sentence for his four most recent charges. This move reduced Wheeler’s total jail time to two days.
Wheeler was not eligible for bond during his two-day sentence, according to Vernon County jail records.
Five of the six of the charges against Wheeler allege that he trespassed within business corridors of Kansas City’s Westport neighborhood, known primarily as an entertainment and nightlife district. The Westport incidents allegedly took place late at night, between 11 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.
Charging documents from June 2023 allege Wheeler had trespassed at least twice on the grounds of at least one business at Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue, an intersection connecting several bars and restaurants. Another alleged incident took place one block west at Westport Road and Mill Street, and the earliest incident took place in a Walmart just off of East U.S. Hwy 140.
Some residents have said online that Wheeler was preaching on the street when he was arrested.
“When did it become illegal to preach the gospel on the streets,” Kansas City resident Shelle West, who organized a Change.org petition calling for Wheeler’s release, wrote on Facebook Thursday.
West’s petition, which also calls for a “fair hearing” on Wheeler’s behalf, had gathered more than 500 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.
“Beyond his flashy Superman outfits and daily jogs around the city, Michael personifies the spirit of a true community warrior,” the petition reads. “Witnessing his selfless efforts to preach the gospel and infuse our lives with hope has been a blessing to our community.”
Wheeler pleaded not guilty to five of the six charges against him, according to court records. In the sixth instance, no plea was entered.
Wheeler was summoned to appear in Kansas City municipal court on Tuesday in connection with all six charges. He had initially been given earlier court dates for all six, according to court records. According to court records, Jackson County municipal employees met with Wheeler in January to make him aware that there were six active warrants for his arrest pending.
The Kansas City Police Department declined to comment on Wheeler’s arrest.
The Star’s Kendrick Calfee contributed reporting.
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