By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
A WaKeeney man was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences and will spend at least the next 50 years in prison after a Trego County jury found him guilty of raping a 6-year-old last year.
In January, a jury found Nathan Russ guilty of two counts of rape and one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
Russ was arrested in Illinois in July of last year after police in WaKeeney were alerted to possible child abuse.
Following the jury trial, Russ was sentenced to two life sentences for rape and 25 years to life for the aggravated indecent liberties with a child conviction earlier this month.
The two rape convictions fall under Jessica’s Law, which require a life sentence. They will run consecutive with one another, so Russ with serve back-to-back life sentences. The aggravated indecent liberties with a child conviction will run concurrent to the life sentences.
Under Kansas law, Russ will not be eligible for parole for 50 years.