Jury Convicts Lawrence Man of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy and Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child
01/14/2011
CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces a jury convicted Lawrence resident Richard Gonzalez, 68, of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy and Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child. Detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office began investigating the case in August 2009 when the mother of the victim reported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital that her daughter may have been sexually assaulted by the father of her daycare provider at Miles of Smiles Child Daycare Center in southwest Lawrence. Charges were filed against Mr. Gonzalez when it was discovered he inappropriately touched the victim on several occasions at the daycare, where he lived with his daughter, the daycare owner. "Putting a child on the stand is the last thing we ever want to do and what we seek to avoid. It took incredible courage and strength on her part and incredible faith in the system on the family's part," advised Branson. Mr. Gonzalez faces a prison sentence of 25 years to life (Jessica's Law) and a fine of up to $500,000 for each of the charges. The trial began Tuesday, January 11, closing arguments were delivered Friday morning and the case went to the jury at 10:30 a.m. The jury deliberated for nearly four hours before delivering its verdict. The Honorable Sally D. Pokorny presided over the case. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office investigated the case and Chief Assistant District Attorney Amy McGowan prosecuted it. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation be completed and scheduled a sentencing hearing for March 21 at 9:30 a.m. -30-
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Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright - Assistant to the District Attorney
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com