HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 19-year-old Wichita man was back in Reno County District Court for a plea hearing Wednesday afternoon.
Samuel Peterson was originally charged with a single count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child in association with his contact and sexual acts with a 12-year-old girl. But, as part of a plea agreement, the state knocked the charge down to aggravated indecent solicitation. Peterson entered a “no contest” plea to the charge
Peterson apparently made contact with the victim through an internet site called “Hot or Not” and then met up with her on Sept. 2, 2014 where the alleged sexual encounter occurred. Her mother apparently made a report leading to the investigation by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and Peterson’s arrest.
With the plea, sentencing will occur in front of Judge Trish Rose at some future date, possibly in January 2016. The defense will ask for a border box finding and the state is expected to remain silent at that hearing.
Peterson will be on lifetime post release and will have to register as a sex offender in Sedgwick County where he lives.