Lawrence man sentenced to 2 years on probation in aggravated battery case

A Douglas County judge on Tuesday sentenced a former Lawrence man to serve two years on probation related to a May 2010 incident in which a woman claimed she was sexually assaulted after a night of drinking.

Kellen T. Gangel, 28, who served 30 days in jail as part of his April 1 no-contest plea to aggravated battery, would need to serve one year in prison if he fails to comply with his terms of probation.

Before the plea, prosecutors had planned to present evidence in a trial that Gangel and the woman were out drinking on May 19, 2010, with a group of friends in Lawrence. The woman alleged Gangel had touched her while they were inside a vehicle and that later in an apartment she awoke to him molesting her.

“You’ve hardly served your time. I wish you nothing but unhappiness,” the woman said in court Tuesday.

Douglas County prosecutors said as part of the plea agreement Gangel would complete a sex offender evaluation and be required to follow any recommendations made in the evaluation. Defense attorney Tom Bath said Gangel had almost completed treatment recommended by an alcohol evaluation.

“He’s prepared to essentially stop abusing alcohol, get back to work and be a productive citizen,” Bath said.

District Judge Peggy Kittel ordered Gangel to follow treatment recommendations from both evaluations and pay $952 in restitution plus other costs and fees.

“If you test positive (for alcohol or drugs), you’re going to have to answer for that,” Kittel said.