D.A. wants to reinstate sex crimes charges

Douglas County prosecutors want to reinstate the original charges against a Missouri man who absconded earlier this year after entering into a plea agreement in a sex crimes case.

On Friday, Douglas County Assistant District Attorney Amy McGowan told Judge Michael Malone she wants to file a motion to reinstate charges of aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child against Joseph Schwartz. Malone directed McGowan to file the motion by June 8 and set a hearing for June 29.

In the plea agreement, Schwartz, 35, of Parkville, Mo., had pleaded no contest to two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Schwartz, who was free on bond, then failed to show up for his April 5 sentencing. A few days later he was found by U.S. Marshals at the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Schwartz’s bond was revoked and he is being held in the Douglas County Jail. He was charged after an investigation into allegations that he inappropriately touched a girl in 2000.