HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Judge Trish Rose denied a defense motion of a former bonding agent charged with human trafficking and rape.
Attorney Sam Kepfield wanted the charges dropped against Dwight Jurgens because of new legislation that suggest that the behavior of Jurgens is not defined in law as aggravated human trafficking. But, both the state and the judge stated they didn’t believe it was even relevant to this case.
Jurgens is charged with four counts of aggravated human trafficking, two counts of attempting to commit aggravated human trafficking, rape and aggravated criminal sodomy. The human trafficking and aggravated counts are charged due to his authority of controlling persons because of his bonding business. He had worked for TNT bonding at the time of the initial arrest.
All four victims allege that they were threatened with being taken back to jail if they didn’t agree to have sex with him.
The trial itself will begin on May 20 with no further delays expected.