PAWNEE COUNTY—A Kansas man arrested on February 18, in connection with an ongoing sex crimes investigation with the assistance of MotorCity Justice made his first court appearance Thursday in Pawnee County, according to District Attorney Doug McNett.
Jason Leigh Cavender, 44 of Larned, appeared before Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell Thursday morning via Zoom in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff.
The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department made a probable cause arrest of Cavender following the execution search warrant at his home in Larned. The law enforcement investigation was prompted by a tip from MotorCity Justice whose goal is to educate parents on the issue of online predators and to expose people that want to meet with children.
Cavender was charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child at least 14, but less than 16 years of age, Promoting Obscenity to a Minor, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, according to McNett.
Under Kansas law, Electronic Solicitation of a Child is “by means of communication conducted through the telephone, internet or by other electronic means, enticing or soliciting a person, whom the offender believes to be a child, to commit or submit to an unlawful sexual act.”
A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for March 11, 2021. The defendant is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $75,000 bond, according to McNett.