A man charged with sex crimes involving a 14-year-old victim appeared in Barton County District Court Monday and entered a plea of “no contest” to one count of indecent liberties with a child. Randall Scott Daubert was found guilty of the charge after Barton County Attorney Douglas Matthews offered an affidavit as evidence. He did not state the evidence, noting the sensitive nature of the case. District Judge Ron Svaty found Daubert guilty and ordered a pre-sentencing investigation (PSI).
Daubert was originally charged with four counts, stemming from the events of March 11 at a Great Bend residence. He appeared Monday with his court-appointed attorney, Robert Anderson, who said plea negotiations had taken place. The state dismissed charges of aggravated criminal sodomy, criminal sodomy and aggravated burglary.
Anderson and Matthews indicated Daubert had a record for two burglaries that occurred 37 years ago when he was 14 years old. Because the definition of the crime now separates residential and non-residential burglaries, it was unclear what Daubert’s score on the PSI would be. Svaty advised Daubert that under state sentencing guidelines, his sentence could range from two years and seven months to 11 years and four months in prison, and a fine up to $300,000. Anderson will seek a departure from the maximum sentence, and Matthews said the state would not object to a departure unless the defense seeks less than the minimum sentence. A hearing will be held once the PSI is complete.
As per the plea agreement, Daubert will pay court and attorney fees and a Kansas Bureau of Investigation lab fee. He will register as a sex offender and will have no contact with the victim.