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Barton County Sheriff’s Office employee arrested
Jimmy L. Hapes
Jimmy L. Hapes

A civilian employee of the Barton County Sheriff’s Office was arrested Wednesday by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. 

KBI agents arrested Jimmy L. Hapes, 64, of Great Bend, at approximately 10:40 a.m. at the county jail, 1408 Kansas Ave. According to a news release from the agency, he was arrested for one count of rape connected to an incident that occurred on June 7.

Hapes is a civil process server for the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Brian Bellendir said Hapes was terminated from his position when formal charges were filed.

The KBI initiated the investigation on June 24, when the Great Bend Police Department requested KBI assistance after the rape was reported to them.

KBI officials said the Barton County Attorney is expected to prosecute the case and that nothing further will be released at this time.