Wichita Man Sentenced for Kidnapping and Aggravated Robbery

09/01/2009
CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Donald B. Bartsma, 42, was sentenced today in Douglas County District Court. The Honorable Sally D. Porkorny sentenced Bartsma to 233 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) for Kidnapping (level 3/person/felony) and 59 months for Aggravated Robbery (Non-Drug/Level 3/Person/Felony) with the two counts to run concurrently. Bartsma is currently serving a sentence in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections for robbery and for attempted robbery and he will be eligible for release in 2031. Judge Porkorny ordered the Kansas case to run consecutive to the Missouri case. The earliest he would be eligible for release from KDOC is 2047. "Barstma was a real threat to our community and I am pleased he was ordered to serve long sentences both in Missouri and in Kansas," advised Branson. Investigation into the case began when a 24 year old female nursing student reported she had been kidnapped and robbed by a man armed with a pocket knife. The woman was getting into her vehicle which was parked in the Kohl's parking lot and a man, later identified as Bartsma, forced his way into her car, covered her mouth with his hand and held a knife to her. He threatened her with bodily harm if she yelled or did not cooperate. He proceeded to force her into the passenger's seat and drove her to her bank at 27th and Iowa and forced her to withdraw $100.00 from her account. He then drove her into rural Douglas County, pulled over and told her to lean over and count to 100. Bartsma then fled the area by getting into an escape vehicle driven by an accomplice that had been following him. It was later learned the escape car had been stolen by the pair from a Wichita woman on Friday, February 8th. The victim in this case stated she counted to 50 before she looked up and realized Bartsma was gone. Bartsma's accomplice in the crime, Troy Pryor, previously entered a plea to robbery and was sentenced to 49 months in the custody of KDOC. His time is also to run consecutive to time he is serving in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections. -30-

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