Man accused in sexual exploitation case wants time to consider plea offer
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 36-year-old Hutchinson man taken into custody after officers seized a computer where he allegedly downloaded hundreds child pornography videos saw his preliminary hearing continued after his attorney informed the court that his client wanted time to consider a plea offer.
Tad Darcy Russell is charged with sexual exploitation of a child with the arrest coming after Hutchinson Police Detective Scott Carlton began investigating Russell for several months and says Russell downloaded child porn videos from a file sharing program called “Peer to Peer.”
They served a search warrant on his Hutchinson home and seized his computer. Allegedly in the videos, some an hour in length, involved kids as young as six and eight years of age.
The case falls under Jessica’s Law, meaning he could receive a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. The state offered to drop the charge to a level 5 felony and recommend a sentence of two years, eight months in prison. Technically it falls under what’s called a border box. That gives the judge the option of ordering prison time, or some form of probation. However, as part of the agreement, he wouldn’t be allow to ask for a border box finding and would serve the time in prison.
The hearing has now been pushed back to April 1, to give Russell time to consider this offer.
Area man charged with distribution of cocaine makes court appearance
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 21-year-old man made a court appearance Thursday after he allegedly sold drugs to undercover officers twice back in December.
Malachi Lewis is charged with the sale of cocaine, about 3.5 grams, conspiracy to distribute cocaine with another man, Elijah Metheny and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance using a communications device. The alleged crimes occurring back on December 27, 2014. Drug Enforcement officers apparently had text Lewis to make the transactions.
In court, he asked for a reduction of the $10,000 bond, however the state was opposed and the judge indicated that there is fairly substantial evidence against him in the case and denied the request. However, he’s now free on that bond.
Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen set a status hearing in the case for March 25.
Hutch man scheduled for sentencing in electronic solicitation case
Peterman
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 55-year-old Hutchinson man found guilty for electronic solicitation and violation of the offender registration act or failing to register is scheduled for sentencing Friday morning.
Steven Peterman was arrested back on Feb. 12, 2014 when he was allegedly waiting to pick up an underage girl in the parking lot of the Hutchinson Mall. He was convicted for texting via cell phone with Sheriff Detective Diana Skomal, who posed as the 15-year-old. He then went to the Hutchinson Mall to pick her up with the intention of assisting her in running away from home, but also to teach her about sex.
This is a presumptive prison case in large part because of Peterman’s prior criminal history. He’s served time in prison for two counts of attempted rape and electronic solicitation of a child from a 2001 case.
The sentencing is scheduled in front of Judge Trish Rose.
Hutchinson man scheduled for sentencing in cocaine distribution case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 28-year-old Hutchinson man who entered a plea in the drug case against him is scheduled for sentencing Friday.
Raymond Kimball was convicted for possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with a prior conviction and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package. The state as part of the agreement dropped the severity level of the cocaine charge and also dropped a drug tax stamp violation.
The case centers on Drug Unit Detectives finding a white rocky substance, green leafy vegetation, a digital scale and new and used packaging inside a Hutchinson home while serving a search warrant. The white rocky substance was cocaine and weighed about 25 grams. The green leafy substance was marijuana and weighed about 4.3 grams.
Kimball was arrested with 24-year-old Holly Caudillo.
He was also before Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen for a new charge of failing to register as a drug offender.