Police arrest suspect on sexual battery charge

Police arrested a 38-year-old Lawrence man early Sunday on suspicion of grabbing a 19-year-old woman and exposing himself as she tried to get into a vehicle.

The incident happened at 1:57 a.m. Sunday in the central part of the city, said Sgt. Mike Pattrick, a Lawrence Police Department spokesman. The department usually does not reveal the specific location of sex crimes in an effort to protect victims’ identities.

The woman was able to drive away and immediately called police. Officers arrested the man shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of 11th and Mississippi streets, Pattrick said.

According to court records, prosecutors charged the man with lewd and lascivious behavior, sexual battery and aggravated burglary. He remained Monday in the Douglas County Jail in lieu of a $20,000 bond.

Federal charges filed in pension fraud case

Kansas City, Kan. — A Leavenworth man was charged Friday in federal court with theft of government funds and unlawfully obtaining a veteran’s pension.

A federal grand jury indictment alleges that in 1999 Larry G. Thomas, 52, received a Department of Veterans Affairs disability pension. The indictment also alleges that from Feb. 1, 1999, through November 2002, Thomas was employed but did not notify Veterans Affairs and continued to receive $18,712 in pension benefits to which he was not entitled.

If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the theft charge and one year in prison for unlawfully obtaining the pension.

Sentencing delayed for attack participant

Sentencing was postponed Monday for one of the five people charged in connection with a violent attack and robbery March 10 at a North Lawrence motel.

The delay was granted because Leslie T. Howe’s application to attend the Labette County Correctional Conservation Camp has been rejected twice, assistant Dist. Atty. Dave Zabel told judge Jack Murphy.

Howe, 23, Emporia, had a limited role in the attack on 21-year-old Josh Greemore of Mayetta, witnesses told police. An officer testified that, according to a witness’ statement, Howe joined in the beating only at the urging of another member of the group.

Prosecutors initially charged Howe with aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery and felony theft, but they reduced the charges as part of a plea agreement.

Howe will be back in court Sept. 4 for sentencing.