LARNED — A former Larned man faces Jessica’s Law charges following a preliminary hearing Nov. 10 in Pawnee County District Court. 

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett reported that James Speer, formerly of Scott City and Larned, is charged with rape and oral sodomy of a child under 14 years of age, alleged to have occurred at a Garfield residence on or about May 25-26, 2013. Law enforcement was not notified of the allegations until November 2020 and the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office led the ensuing investigation. 

Arraignment on the charges is scheduled for Feb. 13, 2023. Speer is currently in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. 

If convicted, Speer faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole until he has served at least 25 years, McNett said.

Speer was represented at the hearing by Joe Shepack, Great Bend.