Jurgens
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A former bonding agent found “guilty” on all but three counts against him was sentenced Friday to just over 21-years in prison.
66-year-old Dwight Jurgens was found guilty by a Reno County jury of two counts of aggravated human trafficking, two counts of attempting to commit aggravated human trafficking and two alternate counts of rape. 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.
He was convicted for bonding female prisoners from the Reno County Jail and then threatened to send them back to jail if they didn’t have sex with him. In at least one case, one of the victims was given drugs by Jurgens and then passed out, only to discover him on top of her.
The defense asked that a number of motions be granted including a new trial and judgment of acquittal. Attorney Sam Kepfield also asked for a downward or durational departure. All were denied by Judge Trish Rose.
The two sides got into a heated argument over the merits of the charges and the trial and after Kepfield constantly interrupted the argument against the motions by Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton, Judge Rose called both attorney’s and the defendant into chambers.
Jurgens showed no remorse and again denied any wrong doing when given a chance to speak prior to sentencing. He says the victims in the case were lying.
The state sought the maximum sentence on each count, while the defense sought the minimum. In the end, the judge went with the standard number in the sentencing grid box.