A 22-year-old Hutchinson man who was arrested back in April in a child sex case is competent to stand trial, that word in District Court this morning.
Ryan Edward O’Keefe is charged with rape and other serious charges including aggravated indecent liberties with a child and electronic solicitation of a child 14-years or younger. Two of the crimes are off grid felonies meaning he could be looking at life sentences if convicted.
The alleged crimes occurring between January 28 and January 30 of this year and involved a child 13 years old at the time
He had been granted the request for the mental evaluation back in April after his attorney was concerned that he may not be competent for the case against him to continue.
Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen announced that the finding was that he was competent and the case will proceed now to a preliminary hearing.