PAWNEE COUNTY—A Rush County man accused of child sex crimes made a court appearance in Pawnee County on Monday for a preliminary hearing.
Tyler J. Whitten, 30 of La Crosse, is charged with Rape and Aggravated Sodomy of a child under the age of 14, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.
The alleged acts in Pawnee County occurred at a private residence in Larned sometime between September 16, 2021, and March 1, 2023, and were discovered during an investigation by the Rush County Sheriff regarding similar allegations.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting in the investigation at the request of the Rush County Sheriff.
Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell found the State presented sufficient evidence to support two separate felony sexual offenses and bound Whitten over to the higher court. Arraignment has been scheduled for July 18, according to McNett.
Based on the age of the alleged victim, if convicted Whitten faces a mandatory 25 years to life sentence under the Jessica’s Law sentencing provisions. He would also be subject to registration as a sex offender under the Kansas Offender Registration Act.
On July 25, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation arrested Whitten in Rush County. He has been in the custody of the Barton County Sheriff since his arrest.