A rural Douglas County man who tried to backtrack on his own admissions of raping a 14-year-old girl will serve nearly 20 years in prison, a judge decided Monday.

In May, Jason Orender, 39, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing the teenager about 20 times over the course of a year. The incidents of abuse took place in both Douglas and Osage counties.

Douglas County District Court Judge Peggy Kittel accepted Orender’s plea and found him guilty of felony counts of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Jason Orender

In September, as he awaited sentencing for his convictions, Orender filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea. In the motion he argued his attorney at the time, Phil Stein, pressured him into the admissions.

Monday Orender appeared in court where his new attorney, Cooper Overstreet, argued Stein did not fulfill his obligations as an attorney.

Overstreet said Stein failed to keep Orender fully informed as to his right to a trial or the consequences of a guilty plea.

In addition, Overstreet said Orender was emotionally distraught as he pleaded guilty, which impacted his decision.

During his May plea hearing Orender sobbed audibly and was so overcome with emotion he was unable to speak for a moment.

When questioned by Overstreet and prosecutor David Melton on Monday, Stein admitted Orender was indeed emotional as the two worked on his case.

However, Stein testified he worked diligently to ensure Orender was properly educated and was not forced into making any decisions.

Stein showed the court a letter he sent Orender summarizing their conversations and explaining his options. He also had a signed letter where Orender admitted he was satisfied with his services as an attorney.

“It’s inconceivable to imagine a way in which Mr. Orender would be more informed about the consequences of his plea,” Melton said to the court after hearing Stein’s testimony.

Rather than Stein failing as a defense attorney, Melton said Orender simply had a case of “buyer’s remorse” regarding his plea.

Judge Kittel agreed with Melton that Stein fulfilled his responsibilities and denied Orender’s motion to withdraw the plea.

After Kittel announced her decision on Orender’s motion, both the victim and her mother were allowed to address the court.

“I hate what you stole from (the victim),” the girl’s mother said. “You cut her childhood short.”

As the girl’s mother spoke Orender, once again, began to sob.

Next, the girl stood and addressed Orender.

“When you touched me I felt powerless,” she said, speaking through her tears. “But today is the day that I’m taking my power back. I am a strong girl and what you did will not define me.”

When asked if he would like to address the court, Orender stood and apologized for his failures.

“Please someday forgive me,” he said. “That’s all I ask. I’m sorry.”

Kittel sentenced Orender to serve more than 17 years in prison and a lifetime of post-release supervision.