HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A 29-year-old man convicted of engaging in sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl and entered no contest pleas to two charges, was sentenced, served his time, then paroled is back before a judge and six female jurors Monday where the state is trying to convince them he should be deemed a sexual predator.
Charles Smith was entered the plea to a reduced charge of indecent liberties with a child. He also entered a plea to a charged of failing to register as a sex offender. As part of the plea agreement, the state dropped a second count of failing to register.
In court Thursday testimony was given that based on test given to Smith, he is considered a moderate to high risk of committing another sexual crime within the next five years. He had a rape case in North Carolina and also convicted of sexual battery in South Carolina.
The state rested their case Thursday and now it will be the defenses turn to present evidence. The trial will resume at 10 a.m., in front of District Judge Trish Rose.
The original Reno County case involved Smith bringing a 15-year-old with him from North Carolina, that ended up being a runaway from Texas.
The teen had testified at the preliminary hearing that they lived together at an apartment at 322 East 1st, and on April 26, 2009 she had sex with him in the bedroom of the apartment. Police had been called to the home on the report of some type of property dispute, and discovered Smith had a warrant out of North Carolina. They led to his arrest, and the discovery of the underage girl.
Smith originally denied they had engaged in sexual relations, but apparently there was some concern she might be pregnant, and also during some correspondence, he told the 15-year-old that he was tested for sexually transmitted diseases, and he came up negative.
The 15-year-old alleges they had sex together in North Carolina at least 3-times.
Again the trial will resume Friday. If he is deemed to be a violent sexual predator, he would be placed in a facility to receive treatment as a sex offender.