WRITER: Kim Callahan

Lawrence repeat felon who threw package of meth over prison wall sentenced to 8 years

A Lawrence man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after throwing a package of methamphetamine over a prison wall in Hutchinson, where he had formerly been incarcerated, according to a news release Friday from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas. According to court documents, Jermel Fleming, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance. In February 2024, ...

Jury trial canceled, plea hearing set for man accused of multiple sex crimes

A jury trial for a man accused of multiple sex crimes that was scheduled to begin at the end of this month has been canceled after the parties indicated to the court Thursday that a plea deal was imminent. The defendant, Kenneth Wayne Soap, 46, is now scheduled for a plea hearing on May 1 in Douglas County District Court. The plea agreement, not yet available in court records, is expected to resolve charges in ...

Man with lengthy criminal record, history of police chases now has 3 more convictions and is facing years in prison

A man with a lengthy criminal record who is known for leading law enforcement on numerous car chases was convicted Wednesday in Douglas County District Court of attempted aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding police and criminal damage to property for three incidents that happened in 2022 and 2024. The convictions followed a deal in which Steven Carl Drake II, 50, pleaded no ...

Man ordered to pay nearly $2,400, serve 2 years on probation for battering sheriff's deputy

A defendant who was convicted of felony battery against a law enforcement officer has been ordered to serve two years of probation and to pay nearly $2,400 in restitution to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Judge Sally Pokorny sentenced Dustin Parrish on Wednesday to 11 months in prison but suspended that term to 24 months of probation in accordance with the parties' recommendations. Parrish, who has no ...

Twice convicted of domestic battery, woman faces 3rd charge after man alleges violent beatings

A Douglas County woman with two previous domestic battery convictions has been ordered to stand trial for a third violent incident. In the most recent case, Shaleah N. Kauffman is facing felony domestic battery and aggravated battery charges after a man testified on Tuesday that Kauffman drunkenly attacked him two separate times in the fall of 2023. The man testified that the first attack occurred early in ...

Lawrence man pleads not guilty to molesting young girls at sleepovers; trial scheduled for July

A Lawrence man pleaded not guilty Friday in Douglas County District Court to charges that he molested two girls eight years ago during sleepovers at his home. The teens testified at a preliminary hearing in January about separate incidents that they said occurred at the home of Jordey McTaggart as they spent the night with his children when they were in elementary school. Judge Sally Pokorny ordered McTaggart ...