photo by: Mike Yoder

The Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St.

A Lawrence man arrested on suspicion of rape was formally charged last week in Douglas County District Court.

Andrew E. Ferguson, 21, has been charged with rape, a high-severity felony, for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse while the alleged victim, a 20-year-old, was unconscious or physically powerless, on or about Dec. 13.

In the alternative, the charging document alleges that Ferguson engaged in sex with a victim who was incapable of consenting because of mental deficiency or disease, or because of the effect of alcohol or drugs. The allegations have not been proved in court.

Ferguson was arrested at the address also listed as his home at 10:37 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in connection with a sex crime reported to police earlier the same day, the Journal-World reported.

Ferguson made his first appearance with his retained defense counsel, Sarah Swain, online court records indicate. He was released on $100,000 surety bond on Dec. 16, according to the Douglas County Jail booking log. He is not to have contact with any victims or witnesses, nor return to their addresses, the records show.

The University of Kansas online directory on Monday showed an enrolled student by the same first and last name and middle initial.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office declined to release Ferguson’s booking photo. The jail’s roster of inmates in custody from the morning of Dec. 16 indicates Ferguson is a 6-feet, 1-inch-tall white male with brown hair and blue eyes.

Ferguson’s next court appearance is set for Jan. 21. The Swain Law Office did not immediately get back to the Journal-World’s email seeking comment on Monday.