Eudora man found guilty of sexually abusing young girl over several years

Jurors on Friday found a Eudora man guilty of sexually abusing a young female over the course of several years.

The man, Sean Weeks, 40, was arrested on Jan. 9, 2015, and four felony charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child were filed against him. Jurors found him guilty on three of the four counts.

Weeks’ trial began Monday.

Court documents state that the victim, who is now 15 years old, was abused between the ages of 6 and 10. The abuse took place both in Lawrence and Eudora, the documents state.

Sean Weeks, 40, of Eudora

During his closing statements Thursday morning, prosecutor Mark Simpson directed jurors’ attention to recorded phone conversations involving Weeks, which were entered into evidence during the trial.

In those conversations, Simpson said Weeks admitted to touching the victim inappropriately and then declined to provide further information for fear of punishment.

Defense attorney William Langston, however, argued during his closing statements that the accusations were made, in part, because the victim was upset with Weeks over an unrelated matter.

Jurors took more than seven hours between Thursday and Friday to reach a unanimous verdict.

Langston said he plans to file a motion for a new trial within the next 10 days.

Weeks could face life in prison for each of his convictions.

Citing the nature of Weeks’ convictions and the possible length of his sentence, Douglas County District Court Judge Peggy Kittel revoked his $25,000 bond and ordered him to remain in the county jail until he is sentenced.

Several people in the courtroom wept and one man left the courtroom in tears after courtroom security denied Langston’s request to allow Weeks to hug his family before he was escorted away in handcuffs.

Kittel also ordered the completion of a presentence investigation and scheduled Weeks to appear in court for sentencing at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 5.