Suspects in series of local burglaries enter pleas as charged
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two people suspected of numerous burglaries and other crimes waived their right to a preliminary hearing Thursday and entered guilty pleas as charged. In exchange for those pleas, the state agreed not to file several additional charges against 33-year-old Timothy McQueen and 21-year-old Kelsey Hamby.
Both are charged by the state with four counts of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and making false writing. They allege that the two broke 
into storage units at three different locations around the city. Most of these alleged crimes occurred around June 12 or 13, while one was between May 19 and June 18. The state also charged them with conspiracy for break in of a storage unit in McPherson, then bringing the stolen property to Reno County. This occurred on June 9, according to the criminal complaint. They’re also alleged to have falsified a pawn ticket on that same date. Hamby is also charged with additional counts of criminal use of a financial card.
Both will be sentenced next month with Hamby’s sentencing set for Sept. 17, and McQueen on Sept. 19.
McQueen had been granted probation for earlier convictions of aggravated burglary from October of 2012, when he broke into a building on west 5th. In the other case, he was convicted of possession of methamphetamine for a case that goes back to November of 2012.
Trial for former bonding agent set again
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The trial for a former bonding agent charged with human trafficking and rape was continued earlier this month after the state asked for a continuance, it will be held, as it stands now, on Sept. 9, according to Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton.
The trial for Dwight Jurgens had been continued earlier at the request of the defense because of the heart attack he suffered on May 21. The state earlier this month asked for the continuance because a key detective was not available. The state had once before requested a continuance because Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton was down with the flu. The rest of the continuances have been made by the defense.
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 worked for TNT bonding at the time of the initial arrest.
All four victims allege they were threatened with being taken back to jail if they didn’t agree to have sex with him.
Unless something unforeseen happens, the trial should go as planned.
Hutch man convicted in sex case questions post release supervision
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 21-year-old man who entered a plea to a charge of attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child was granted 36 months community corrections, only to eventually be sent to prison on the 32 month sentence, is seeking some relief once he gets out of prison.
Justin Richardson was convicted of a single count of attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child instead. He had been charged with a single count of solicitation of a child, but he entered a guilty plea to an amended complaint for a lesser charge.
But, in sentencing, Judge Tim Chambers also ordered lifetime post release supervision, which basically means he would be on supervision much like parole for the rest of his life. He argues that is illegal, but the state argues it goes along state statute in cases like this. There is also some question of whether the judge even has jurisdiction since the case is at the appellate level.
Richardson was arrested after he showed up at a local apartment thinking he was going to meet a 15-year-old girl for a sexual relationship, only to be greeted by police. Hutchinson Police Detective Scott Carlton communicated with Richardson through Facebook and police decided to set up a sting. Richardson walked a mile and half because he had no transportation and was greeted by police. This occurred back on Dec. 14, 2012.
He was scheduled for possible parole on Aug. 20, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections website, but is still incarcerated at this point.
Judge Chambers scheduled a hearing over the post release issue for next month.