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Two men charged in unrelated rape cases
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LARNED – Carl A. Bortz, 39, of Larned, and Landon Jay Ellis, 21, of Garfield, appeared before Magistrate Judge Dale Snyder via Zoom Monday afternoon from the Pawnee County Jail for formal first appearances on separate felony sexual assault cases in Pawnee County.

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett released the following information.

Bortz is charged with rape of a victim overcome by force or fear and an alternate count of rape of a victim incapable of consent due to intoxication. The crime involves a single incident alleged to have occurred at a motel in Larned during the earlier hours of Aug. 16, 2026. Bortz was arrested without incident on Aug. 18. The Larned Police Department is handling the investigation with the assistance of the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department.

The defendant was initially arrested without bond. Following the First Appearance, Judge Snyder set bond at $250,000 bond cash or surety. He is currently being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of bond.

In an unrelated matter, Ellis, 21 of Garfield, is charged with rape of a victim overcome by force or fear, and an alternate count of rape of an unconscious victim. The crime involves a single incident alleged to have occurred at a residence in Garfield on or about Aug. 22. The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation.

Ellis was arrested on Aug. 24 without incident and is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $250,000 bond. Additionally, Judge Snyder ordered that in the event Ellis posts bond, he will be subject to electronic monitoring and supervision by Court Services under standard bond conditions.

At the First Appearances, Judge Snyder advised both defendants of the charges, the possible penalties if convicted and their constitutional rights, including the right to counsel. If convicted, under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, each defendant would face a presumptive prison sentence between 147 months and 653 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections, depending on criminal history. Additionally, they would be subject to the Kansas Offender Registration Act as a sex offender.

Counsel was appointed for each defendant. Separate preliminary hearings have been scheduled for Sept. 8.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.