PAWNEE COUNTY— A jury in Pawnee County on Friday found 39-year-old Justin W. Hammond of Larned guilty on four counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberty with a Child; sexual intercourse with a child 14 or 15 years of age, and one count of Indecent Liberties with a Child; lewd fondling of child 14 or 15 years of age, according to County Attorney Doug McNett.
The crimes occurred in Pawnee County between July 8, and December 15, 2018. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation following a referral by the Pawnee County Sheriff.
Hammond testified on his own behalf during the five day trial. The jury deliberated four hours Friday evening before returning the verdict.
Pawnee County District Judge Bruce Gatterman advised Hammond of his duty to register as sex offender under the Kansas Offender Registration Act and remanded the defendant into the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff. Sentencing will be scheduled for a later date.
Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, Hammond faces a presumptive prison sentence between 59 months and 247 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history.