LARNED – A Larned man, Michael Patrick Stacey, 20, pled "no contest" to attempted rape Thursday afternoon in the Pawnee County District Court. 

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett advised the court that, had the matter proceeded to trial, the State would have presented testimony that on the night of October 25, 2019, Stacey entered the bedroom of a female roommate at his Larned home and attempted have sexual intercourse without her consent. Defense counsel indicated his client had no objection to the proffer of evidence as the defendant was intoxicated at the time of the incident and has limited memory.

After hearing the proffer of evidence and reviewing the defendant’s understanding of the consequences of his plea, District Judge Bruce Gatterman accepted the plea and found Stacey guilty of the amended charge. The defendant was originally charged with rape of a victim overcome by force or fear, and battery.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 21. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to waive his right to appeal the conviction and will be subject to lifetime Sex Offender Registration.

Attempted rape is a level 3 person felony charge, with a presumptive prison sentence of between four years, seven months, and 20 years, seven months (55-247 months) in custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, depending on his criminal history. 

Had he been convicted of the original charges, he faced a presumptive prison sentence between 147 and 653 months (12 to 54 years).

Stacey has been in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of a $100,000 bond since his arrest on Nov. 12, 2019.

The Larned Police Department handled the investigation.