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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Feb. 12, 2008
KANSAS CITY MAN WILL STAND TRIAL ON CHARGES OF SEX ACTS WITH TEENAGE GIRL
KANSAS CITY, KAN – A federal judge Tuesday rejected a plea agreement and set Jesse Herd, 36, Kansas City, Kan., for a trial June 3 on a charge of transporting a teenaged girl across state lines to engage in unlawful sexual acts.
In November, Herd pleaded guilty to one count of transporting a minor across state lines. In turn, prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 18 years.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil rejected the plea agreement and set the case for trial June 3.
In an indictment filed June 20, 2007, Herd was charged with transporting a minor identified as AA across state lines to engage in prostitution or other criminal sexual activities. If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life, and a fine up to $250,000.
The Kansas City Kansas Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Smith worked on the case.
As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments filed merely contain allegations of criminal
conduct.
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