PAWNEE COUNTY —A Great Bend man facing child sex crime accusations made his first court appearance in the case Wednesday.
Avian Rincones, 34, of Great Bend, appeared in custody in the Pawnee County District Court before Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell on a criminal complaint alleging three felony sex crimes, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.
The defendant voluntarily turned himself into the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department earlier in the day after his legal guardian was advised charges had been filed and a no-bond arrest warrant issued.
Rincones is charged with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Oral Sodomy of a Child under the age of 14 and one count of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child under the age of 14, according to McNett.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Larned Police Department regarding an alleged incident at the Larned City Pool on July 11, 2024.
Rincones was interviewed at the scene, but no arrest was made at the time due to concerns with his mental capacity. Agencies assisting with the investigation included the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the Child Advocacy Center.
On Wednesday, Judge Cowell advised Rincones of the charges, the possible penalties if convicted and his constitutional rights, including his right to counsel. Based on the age of the alleged victim, if convicted, Rincones 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. Rincones' legal guardians advised the Court they intend to retain private counsel.
A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 7. Following the first appearance, the court released the defendant to his legal guardians on a supervised bond subject to standard reporting and house arrest conditions.
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PAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged sex assault at public pool in Larned.
According to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett, on July 11, police were called to the Larned City Pool, 100 West First Street, to investigate an alleged sexual assault of a minor at the pool facility.
They advised the adult suspect was interviewed at the scene, but no arrest was made at the time due to concerns with the suspect’s mental capacity.
The crime scene was processed, and staff interviewed. A formal forensic interview will be scheduled with the victim to be performed by the Child Advocacy Center. At this time no formal charging requests have been submitted to the Pawnee County Attorney’s Office.