HUTCHINSON — A 31-year-old Arkansas man jailed in Reno County for inappropriate involvement with a 10-year-old waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered a “guilty” plea to aggravated criminal sodomy, while the state dropped an alternate count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
Dustin Kennedy was living with his girlfriend and was alone with her child when the crime occurred. The child reportedly told her mother, and she then confronted Kennedy. She told him he needed help, so he went to the hospital — that’s when police got involved. The alleged crime occurred in November 2011.
Although the charge falls under Jessica’s Law, which could mean a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years, both sides will recommend a downward departure to a level 2 person felony and then sentence him at that level based on any past criminal history.
Judge Joe McCarville set a sentencing date in the case for March 7.