Faces maximum sentence of 41 years with $600,000 fine
Staff writer
Kenneth Newell, a former emergency dispatcher accused of raping and fondling a child under 14 years of age and intimidating a witness, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child as part of a plea agreement.
In exchange for the guilty plea, 11 charges, including the rape charge, the witness intimidation charge, and nine charges of lewd fondling or touching, were dismissed with prejudice.
The terms of the plea agreement included dispositional departure from the maximum sentence of life in prison and $500,000 fines for each charge; the maximum sentence Newell faces is 247 months and $300,000 fines for each charge. As such, the maximum jail time Newell could see is 41 years and 4 months, accompanied by a $600,000 fine. Eighty-five percent of that sentence must be served, even if Newell is granted early release for good behavior.
The plea also includes a provision of lifetime post-release supervision.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 20.
Newell must also register as a sex offender, per the Kansas Offender Registration Act. He is subject to criminal charges if he violates the Kansas Offender Registration Act.
Chief District Court Judge Michael Powers presided, and Assistant Attorney General Melissa Johnson served as attorney for the prosecution. County Attorney Susan Robson did not serve as attorney because of Newell’s previous employment with the county as a dispatcher. Stephen Afferton of Emporia was Newell’s appointed attorney.