HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 20-year-old Wichita man was granted three years community corrections in a child sex case here in Reno County.
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 and the defense was granted a border box finding in the case and sentenced Peterson to two years and eight months in prison, then placed him on corrections with additional conditions. He is to have no contact with anyone under the age of 18, except for his younger sister. He must also complete the sex offender treatment and must abide by the curfew of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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.
The girl has apparently indicated on the website that she was older, but did tell Peterson her real age prior to him touching her. Apparently she punched him and ran away from him after the incident.
The judge allowed two members of the victims family to speak including her mother who told the court she thinks prison would be appropriate saying he manipulated her and after the defense commented that Peterson is going through sex offender treatment, she told the court that her daughter is also in treatment. She says he knew what he was doing was wrong.
Her aunt read a statement from the victim saying he made her hate herself more then she already did and they she trusted him and says he hurt her. She said in the statement that she hates him more then anything calling him trash. She said she wanted him to go through what she has since this incident.
Judge Trish Rose reluctantly granted the corrections saying a big factor in her decision was the state remaining silent. She also based her decision on the testimony of Dr. Bruce Nystrom who says that based in his mental examination of the defendant, he has about 6.6 percent chance of offending again.
Peterson will be on lifetime post release and has already registered as a sex offender in Sedgwick County where he lives.