Hutch man enters ‘not guilty’ plea in indecent liberties case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man charged with a single count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child entered a “not guilty” plea Monday in Reno County District Court.
Etric Jones II was arrested for the alleged crime, which occurred back on Dec. 13, 2012. The girl, who was 15 at the time, didn’t report the crime until Feb. 1, 2013, which led to the investigation’s beginning.
Jones, who was 18 at the time of the crime, is alleged to have forced the girl into inappropriate sexual relations. She claims that she told him no, while Jones claims she never said that. The two are said to have left school together, parked in an alley and things escalated from there.
The charge is a level 3 person felony with a sentencing range between 55 and 247 months in prison.
Although any trial in the case will be before Judge Trish Rose, he was arraigned Monday in front of Judge Tim Chambers.
Father and son scheduled for court Tuesday in marijuana cultivation case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A father and son who were arrested on marijuana cultivation charges are expected to make a first appearance on the charges Tuesday.
The father, 51-year-old Johnny Lee Payne, had been employed with the county, working in the maintenance department at the courthouse.
His son, Jonathan Ray Payne, has another case pending where he was charged along with 20-year-old Cole Castle in a distribution case that goes back to July 27.
Jonathan Ray Payne is suspected of cultivating marijuana, possessing drug paraphernalia to manufacture, grow or cultivate marijuana, and drug paraphernalia to package and store the drug. Johnny Lee Payne faces possible charges of cultivation of marijuana and possessing drug paraphernalia to manufacture, grow marijuana.
Drug Unit Detectives are alleged to have found 12 marijuana plants at the home in the 1500 block of North Monroe.
Jonathan Ray Payne and Cole Castle are charged in the earlier case with distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The state alleges that the two conspired to distribute somewhere between 25 and 450 grams of marijuana. The state says the two arranged to distribute the marijuana using a telephone.
Hutchinson Police still seeking info in Friday night robbery
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police are still seeking information on the individual who is suspected of robbing the 27th & Main Kwik Shop. As of Monday afternoon, no arrest had been made.
An employee reported that a black male came into the store Friday night and robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of cash.
There were no injuries from the incident which occurred just after 8 p.m.
Police are asking that anyone who may have information in regards to this case, or knows who the individual may be, call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS or the Hutchinson Police Department at 694-2827. Please associate tips with case #2014-28151. This is an ongoing investigation.