Testimony ends in trafficking and rape trial of former bonding agent
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Testimony has ended in the trial for a former bonding agent charged with human trafficking, rape and sodomy. Both sides have rested for the case against Dwight Jurgens and jury instructions and closing arguments will come on Monday.
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 work in a bonding business. He worked for TNT bonding at the time of his arrest.
The state contends that the victims were forced into providing sexual favors with the threat that they could be sent back to jail if they didn’t. The defense question the credibility of the alleged victims and says any sex between any of the women was consensual.
The defense did call some witnesses this afternoon after the state finished their case and again closings and jury instructions will be on Monday.
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Sentencing for second suspect in copper theft case pushed back one week
The second suspect in the burglary of several businesses and individuals was scheduled for sentencing Friday, but that has been pushed back a week so the state can file a motion seeking a prison sanction in the case.
30-year-old Anthony Treaster entered pleas for two counts of burglary, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony theft and conspiracy to commit burglary. The case may be presumptive probation, but District Attorney Keith Schroeder told us Friday that he believes there may be a special rule when it comes to sentencing in the case, so he asked for the continuance.
Treaster, along with 28-year-old Robin Davis were both charged in the case. She entered pleas involving the of stealing copper valued at $92,000. Judge Joe McCarville granted her Community Corrections for two years on a two year underlying sentence. The state requested a two month sanction and the judge granted that, but then suspended the jail time.
In the criminal complaint, the state says the crimes occurred between February 24, and April 2. Copper was stolen from New Smoke, Reno County Head Start, the Salvation Army, L.R. Boyd & Company, Old Mission Heritage Funeral Home, Eggers Investments and Kelly J. Graber, and the old Betts Bakery.
Treaster has prior convictions for possession of drugs and criminal possession of weapons for cases going back to 2011. But, Schroeder says he also has a conviction for theft for stealing nearly 100 bronze vases for Fairlawn Burial Park.
He is scheduled to be sentenced in front of Judge Trish Rose.