Lawrence Resident Pleads to Aggravated Incest Charge

07/20/2009
CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today that Lawrence resident Luke Rainey II, 35, pled guilty as charged to one count of Aggravated Incest. The plea occurred following the selection of a jury, the delivery of opening arguments by Chief Assistant District Attorney Amy McGowan and the testimony of one witness. The case began when an officer with the Lawrence Police Department was contacted by the victim's mother. The mother, who lives out of state, became concerned when she found pictures of a sexual nature on her daughter's cell phone. "Parents should not hesitate to discover what their children are doing. If not for an alert parent this victim could have continued to be abused," said Branson. Branson went on to advise, "I urge all parents to talk to your kids about what they are doing online and on their phone. Know who your kids are communicating with, consider limitations on electronic equipment, and be aware of your teen's web accounts and personal internet pages." Rainey faces 31-136 months, depending on his criminal history, in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. He will be sentenced on September 4 at 9:00 a.m. The jury trial was being conducted in the courtroom of the Honorable Paula B. Martin; the investigation was conducted by the Lawrence Police Department and the case was prosecuted by McGowan. -30-

Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright-Assistant to the District Attorney
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com