A Lawrence man was arrested Tuesday night in connection with what police called the repeated rapes of two girls.
Police said the parents of the two girls, who are now 8 and 10, reported to officers that the girls said the man, a family friend, had raped both of them repeatedly during the past two years. The rapes, police said, reportedly occurred at a home in the north-central part of Lawrence.
The 32-year-old man was arrested on four counts of rape, three counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. The man’s wife, 33, was arrested on charges of endangering a child and felony lewd and lascivious behavior.
Sgt. Bill Cory said police are continuing to investigate whether there are other incidents that involve other victims.
The arrested couple’s neighbor William Tramp said his neighbors regularly had children at their apartment, but he didn’t know whether the couple had any children of their own.
Tramp said he spoke to the male suspect earlier about his relationship with the children who frequented the couple’s apartment.
“He was going to buy Christmas gifts for them,” Tramp said. “I never saw anything inappropriate.”
Cory said cases like this one are not uncommon in Lawrence.
“We have officers trained for this kind of thing, and they stay busy,” he said.
Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Lawrence Police Department at 832-7509 or CrimeStoppers at 843-TIPS (8477).
Comments
cletus26 3 years, 10 months ago
well when the truth is revealed, i hope they get what is suppose to come to them; whether good or bad. justice must prevail.
Just_as_if 3 years, 10 months ago
It is amazing how everyone here has the answers, especially when they know nothing of the situation. A background check does not reveal first time offenders.
Paul Hahn 3 years, 10 months ago
Churches need to make a policy of conducting background checks on youth volunteers. Especially with men who come out of nowhere, eager to do youth ministry. That person may have the appearance of being a God-send; but that's the M.O. of sexual predators.
Paul Hahn, LMFT
NewsReader2 3 years, 10 months ago
One of my good friends lives in the same apartment building as this couple. It's very sad for me to say that there were children constantly coming and going through their apartment. He was heavily involved in some sort of Baptist church related children's program, pulling up to his apt with vans full of kids. Always was a bit weary of their confederate flags, but never once thought this could happen... I usually don't do the online forum thing but Jesus.....
Michael Capra 3 years, 10 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
emptymind 3 years, 10 months ago
Sad story
Hoots 3 years, 10 months ago
This is why I stay a million miles away from anyone under 25. They could be guilty as sin or it could be another witch hunt. I know no children on purpose for this reason. Hang em if they really did but their lives are desroid even if they didn't. Reason #1 not to be a male teacher and reason #1 we have so few.
swan_diver 3 years, 10 months ago
Wondering why the LJW is not labeling this incident as unfolding in West Lawrence -- as opposed to on the East Side, where the community's vast majority of sociopaths, malcontents, 'minorities,' and criminals are known to dwell and prey.
sunny 3 years, 10 months ago
Turned himself in could mean that he went to the police station to find out what/why etc the charges were for. That hardly means he is admitting guilt.
Don't know...just saying!
mr_right_wing 3 years, 10 months ago
Unfortunately I do know something about this. The guy knows he is guilty; the story above didn't say, but he turned himself in. I would be extremely surprised if he doesn't plead guilty or no contest. This is heart-breaking (especially for the victims) No further comments from me.
JoRight 3 years, 10 months ago
http://www.dgso.org
Visit the booking recap if you're curious.
Steve Jacob 3 years, 10 months ago
Innocent until proven guilty, especially the wife. She was not charged with rape, so maybe she was just stupid/blind. Maybe she was just charged to scare her into testifying.
KEITHMILES05 3 years, 10 months ago
Why is it ok to identify Lew Perkins and this Dent guy in your reporting? Just a thought.
Ray Parker 3 years, 10 months ago
If the man got the underage girls drunk before raping them, a soft-on-predator Douglas County judge will have to sentence the pervert to 60 days in jail. Or probation.
hawkman8950 3 years, 10 months ago
Damn good point Rando! No wonder why i prefer out of town papers over the local empire of doom known as The World Company
Randall Barnes 3 years, 10 months ago
johnathan k. if i read an article from cj online which reveals their names why can't we discuss that ?
http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-06-02/law_pair_arrested_for_sex_assault
Randall Barnes 3 years, 10 months ago
casterate and rock salt.cut it off
40ozToFreedom 3 years, 10 months ago
The Capital Journal has there names listed in there article.
Tamaralaug 3 years, 10 months ago
If you want to know who it is, just go the Douglas County Sheriff's office website and read the Booking Recap report. It is public record and it lists their names right there.
http://www.dgso.org/web/index.php
inklines 3 years, 10 months ago
QT, Great Britain used to think that way about their criminals and far away penal colonies. I believe they called it Australia.
Clark Coan 3 years, 10 months ago
All criminals who need to be separated from civil society forever, should be placed on an island in the Pacific. Give them some seeds and tools and let them "homestead". A satellite can watch to see if they try to escape.
40ozToFreedom 3 years, 10 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
tobe2000 3 years, 10 months ago
If true, these two should never see the light of day again. To me, even just killing them is too lenient.
whats_going_on 3 years, 10 months ago
If this is true, GROSS, gtf out of our town. If not, and this is another case like that poor school teacher a few weeks ago, UGH.
Bridgett Wagner 3 years, 10 months ago
Cool. Thanks!
DRsmith 3 years, 10 months ago
These people have great patience. I would have probably just killed the guy instead of reporting.
Bridgett Wagner 3 years, 10 months ago
Is there a point at which we will learn the identities of these two?
hipper_than_hip 3 years, 10 months ago
Execution within 30 day upon conviction; no second chances, no parole, no probation, no excuses.
edjayhawk 3 years, 10 months ago
Innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Seems we lose sight of this.
TrooGrit 3 years, 10 months ago
This is a truly heinous and appalling crime! How can someone get so sick and twisted as to even think to do something like this? There is no place in Hell hot enough for these two!
jackpot 3 years, 10 months ago
Booking shows him at 32 she is listed at 33. Forget the key put them so deep you feed them with slingshot.
justtired 3 years, 10 months ago
Throw away the key!!
Commenting has been disabled for this item.