Trafficking and rape trial for former bonding agent underway
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The trial for a former bonding agent charged with human trafficking and rape got underway Tuesday with opening statements. 
Dwight 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.
The state contends that they were forced into providing sexual favors with the threat that they could be sent back to jail if they didn’t. Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton laid out in graphic detail the allegations that even included the rape allegations and other threats. In one case the state contends that he managed to get some heroin for the victim then when she got stoned on the drug, he took advantage of her sexually. In one case, the state contends that his DNA was found on her sweatshirt because of a sexual encounter.
The defense in their opening statements questioned the credibility of the victims and made a point of telling the jury their criminal history and failings with dealing with the court and says any sexual encounter was consensual. Sam Kepfield went into detail and told the jury that during the trial, they would need to consider what he called the three C’s, context, credibility and consent.
The state admits the alleged victims in this case have engaged in criminal activity, with severe drug problems. It would be obvious to the jury that they broke the law and were arrested or they wouldn’t have needed to be bonded out in the first place.
The jury trial is being held in front of Judge Trish Rose and got started late in the day Tuesday and continues on Wednesday.
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Hutch man charged with breaking into two local churches enters plea
A Hutchinson man accused of breaking into two local churches entered “no contest” pleas this week to 15 charges against him.
Richard Grissom Jr., is charged with burglary of the First Church of God at 704 North Jefferson on December 27, 2013, and also Riverside Baptist Church at 114 East 8th. He apparently didn’t get much in either incident. According to the complaint, he allegedly stole 26-dollars from Riverside Baptist Church resulting in a misdemeanor charge of theft. He’s also charged with criminal damage to property for damaging two windows at Riverside Church and one at First Church of God.
Other crimes include three counts auto burglary where in one case he allegedly stole a Remington Shotgun, an I-pod and flashlight. In another, he allegedly stole a watch and in the third, another I-pod. These crimes allegedly occurring on December 13, December 21 and December 22, 2013.
Grissom is also charged with possession of marijuana, possession of personal use paraphernalia, and criminal use of a weapon, in this case a handgun. These crimes occurring on December 27, 2013.
the state combined a second case into the first and include in the amended complaint a charged of battery of a law enforcement officer, “in this case” a juvenile corrections officer. This allegedly occurring at the Bob Johnson Youth Shelter on December 31, 2013.
Judge Joe McCarville set sentencing for October 17.
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Hutch man arrested for drugs expected in court Wednesday
A 27-year-old Hutchinson man who is accused of causing problems at a local Dillon’s store 
last week is scheduled to be back in court on Wednesday.
It happened back on Sunday August 31 at the Dillon’s on 725 E. 4th, when an employee advised Johnny Fenton III of criminal trespass and asked him to leave. But, he apparently still refused to leave and police were called.
He was arrested for criminal trespass, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
His bond set at $7,750.
Fenton has previous convictions for theft, burglary, drugs and identity theft.