LARNED — Shelby Lee Starr, 48, of Great Bend, was bound over for later arraignment on two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14 following an evidentiary preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon in Pawnee County District Court.

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett reported that Starr had been scheduled to appear charged with a single count of aggravated indecent liberties, specifically lewd fondling. State’s evidence revealed this to have occurred at separate private residences in Larned sometime between 2016 and the summer of 2017.

The alleged incident was reported by a mandatory reporter to the Kansas Department of Children and Families on Feb. 17 and was investigated by the Larned Police Department.

Following the presentation of evidence, Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell found there was sufficient evidence to support two separate sexual offenses and bound the defendant over to the higher court on two counts of aggravated indecent liberties. Arraignment has been scheduled for Oct. 26.

Based on the age of the alleged victim, if convicted Starr faces a mandatory 25 years to life sentence under the Jessica’s Law sentencing provisions. He would also be subject to registration as a sex offender under the Kansas Offender Registration Act.

Starr was arrested in Barton County on April 1 without incident. He has been in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff since his arrest.  

Bond is currently set at $100,000 cash or surety.