Inman Police Chief Mike Leland Akins Jr. is accused of abusing three girls and one boy, all under the age of 14, and the alleged crimes were reported to have happened between December 2008 and December 2009.
He is charged with one count of rape of a child, 12 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, two counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, one count of indecent solicitation of a child, one count of lewd and lascivious behavior, and two counts of misdemeanor battery. Six of those charges, if he’s convicted, could result in sentences of life in prison.
After being rescheduled, Akins’ hearing took place Friday, and a mother and her 13-year-old son took the stand in the hearing.
According to a Hutchinson News report, “The mother said Akins often ate lunch with local elementary students and taught, ‘personal safety courses’ to the students, which included informing them about what a ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’ means . . . It wasn’t until a few months ago, in December, that her 14-year-old daughter disclosed that Akins had been touching her inappropriately between May and December 2009, the mother said . . . The girl said Akins had touched her in a home, in a car, and at times while he was in uniform ‘with his gun and his holster,’ the mother testified . . . A 13-year-old boy testified before noon (Friday) that Akins had twice touched him inappropriately and that he had seen Akins touch his sisters. The boy also admitted on the stand that he had told friends he didn’t like Akins . . . Both the mother and boy testified that Akins called the three girls obscene names.”
The Hutch News also reported that “Akins is represented by McPherson attorney David Harger, Assistant attorney general Christine Ladner is the prosecutor (for Friday’s) hearing, which is being heard by retired Sedgwick County District Court judge Ronald Innes because area judges have recused themselves from the case.”
A 14-year-old girl also testified.
According to another Hutch News report, “the girl testified Akins touched her multiple times in a home – sometimes while he was in uniform – and once in a car. She said she didn’t tell anyone because Akins was a police officer and she didn’t know how he would react . . . The girl said she had slapped him before and told him ‘no,’ but sometimes she would let him touch her ‘to get him to leave me alone.’ The girl said Akins was sometimes mean to her if she refused his advances.”
“Both children said Akins at times tried to pretend some of the inappropriate touching was a joke. The girl said he would grab her chest, laugh and say he thought she was falling down,” the report said.
Akins and the mother were romantically involved, but “relationship turned sour in December, when the couple parted ways . . .”
According to the report, “Innes dismissed one of the 12 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Two of those charges stem from the 14-year-old girl allegedly being touched inappropriately twice in a car, but the girl testified it happened only once in a car . . . Two counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child were added against Akins, based on the 14-year-old girl’s testimony, so he still faces 19 counts. Akins is also charged with one count of indecent solicitation of a child, one count of lewd and lascivious behavior and two counts of misdemeanor battery . . . On Friday, Ladner amended the severity level of one of the charges against Akins. He now faces five, not six, life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years upon conviction, under Jessica’s Law.”
Akins is slated to face arraignment April 20.
