Nov 24, 2020

Judge adds additional charge in Kan. child sex crimes case

Posted Nov 24, 2020 2:02 AM
Hammond photo Pawnee Co.
Hammond photo Pawnee Co.

PAWNEE COUNTY– Following a five-hour preliminary hearing  November 20, Justin W. Hammond, 36 of Larned, Kansas, was bound over on nine counts of felony sex crimes, according to County Attorney Doug McNett.

In July, the Pawnee County Attorney’s Office charged Hammond with Five (5) counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberty with a Child or sexual intercourse with a child 14 or 15 years of age; and Three (3) counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child including lewd fondling of child 14 or 15 years of age.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred in Pawnee County between July 8, 2018 and December 15, 2018. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation following a referral by the Pawnee County Sheriff.

Following the presentation of evidence, Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell found the State presented sufficient evidence to support the original charges plus an additional charge of Oral Sodomy alleged to have occurred on or about July 18, 2018, according to McNett.

If convicted, under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines the Hammond faces a presumptive prison sentence between 59 months and 247 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history. He would also be subject to registration as a sex offender under the Kansas Offender Registration Act.

Hammond turned himself in on July 10, 2020, to the Pawnee County Sheriff and later released from custody the same day after posting a $75,000 surety bond. Arraignment has not yet been scheduled.