Appearing in Linn County District Court on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, for what was slated as a pretrial conference in case 2019-CR-000210, a case which has tracked through the Linn County District Court for more than three years and following a recent denial for a request for a change of venue, Lonnie Shane Martin entered a plea of no contest to a fourth amended complaint which dismisses all but the two charges to which he is pleading no contest.
According to the plea agreement which was submitted to Judge Andrea Purvis in the courtroom on Wednesday and filed in Linn County District Court that same day, Martin entered the plea of no contest to the charges of:
Count I – knowingly engage in sexual intercourse with (a person) who did not consent to the sexual intercourse and was overcome by force in violation of K.S.A. 21-5503(a)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(A), rape, a severity level 1 person felony, and
Count II – knowingly engage in lewd fondling or touching of a child under 14 years of age, done or submitted to with the intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desires of either the child, the offender or both, in violation of K.S.A. 21-5506(b)(3) and (c)(2)(C), Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child, a severity level 3 person felony.
The plea agreement further stipulates that the defendant is “clear of mind” and fully understands each and every charge. It also stipulates that Martin is to register as a sex offender for life and that he understands he has a right to proceed to trial.
The plea agreement further notes that Martin could be sentenced to the maximum time on each count, which is as follows:
Count I – 653 months
Count II – 61 months
In total the sentence could potentially be 59-plus years in prison, and can be ordered by the judge to be served consecutively, and the agreement further stipulates that in return for his plea of no contest to the charges listed, sentencing is open to argument by both sides, but neither will request departure from recommended sentencing range, and the state will not request a fine on the defendant which could be levied by the judge in an amount up to $300,000.
The plea agreement also states that Martin understands what he is stipulated and read “I know that the Court will not permit anyone to enter a plea of "guilty" or "no contest" who maintains he is innocent. With that in mind, I wish to enter a plea of "guilty" or "no contest" (because I am "guilty" and not innocent or are choosing not to contest the charges against me).”
The agreement also states Martin is offering his plea of no contest “freely and voluntarily” and further states that the plea “is not the result of any force or threats against me or of any promise made to me other than those stated.”
Sentencing is set for 11 a.m. on April 14. Until that time Martin remains free on bond but is required to register as a sex offender immediately and follow the guidelines set out with that registration.
Judge Purvis also ordered a pre-sentencing investigation into the criminal history of the defendant.
NEWS
Pleasanton council votes 2-2 on RNR, budget

The Pleasanton City Council met on Monday, Sept. 15, and began the meeting with a hearing on the revenue neutral rate (RNR) followed by the budget hearing. With no one in the audience coming forward to speak on either, the hearings were opened and closed without incident and... [More]
Mine Creek Battlefield bridge ribbon cutting this weekend

JLHS sophomore Aron Coleman is not new to community projects; this time he’s completed a bridge for his Eagle Scout badge so those using trails at Mine Creek Battlefield can traverse from one side of Mine Creek to the other. The ribbon cutting commemorating the new bridge... [More]
USD 346 to exceed RNR; approves budget

During the revenue neutral hearing and the budget hearing for the district on Sept. 8, the USD 346 Board of Education voted to approve the superintendents’ recommendation to exceed revenue neutral with a proposed mill rate of 54.144. The board then approved the... [More]
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SPORTS
Turnovers and other mistakes see Hawks fall at Anderson County 27-6

The Jayhawk Linn football team hosted Anderson County on Sept. 12 for their first “home” game of the season. Anderson County is class 3A in football compared to Jayhawk’s 1A and is the Pioneer League so the Hawks had their work cut out for them. Jayhawk played... [More]
Prairie View girls’ cross country leads the Buffalos at Fort Scott

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Opening drive, opportunities spur 'Jays to 1st win
Start with an opening 12-play, 72-yard sustained scoring drive elapsing the game's first 6:27. Mix in heroics--first on special teams and then defensively--by sophomore Owen Miller. Top it off with touchdown passes from four-year signal-caller Kamden Staton to fellow seniors... [More]
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COMMUNITY
Mine Creek Heritage Day this Saturday

The Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, located at 20485 Kansas Highway 52, just outside of Pleasanton, will host their annual Heritage Day this coming Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities for the day will include demonstrations of infantry, cavalry... [More]
Blood Drive: The Battle of the Badges

A community blood drive has been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall located at 729 W. Main Street. The event is being hailed as the Battle of the Badges though anyone and everyone who is able to donate is asked to do... [More]
Parker Days set for Sept. 20

This year’s annual Parker Days event is set for Saturday, Sept. 20 and the theme for the event is “Sunshine and Smiles.” The event kicks off on Friday evening with the Mason’s Fish Fry, a free-will donation dinner, at 5 p.m. at the Mason’s Building. ... [More]
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- USD 346 welcomes new staff members
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