October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month which is an annual campaign to raise awareness about cybersecurity. We live in a world that is more connected than ever before. The Internet touches almost all aspects of everyone’s daily life, whether we realize it or not.

District Attorney Charles Branson has charged former Lawrence, Kansas Police Officer Frank McClelland, 38, with misdemeanor battery in Douglas County District Court.

The District Attorney was notified on August 17, 2016 by Lawrence Police Chief Tarik Khatib that an incident involving one of his officers had occurred on August 16, 2016. After notification to the District Attorney, Chief Khatib requested the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office conduct a criminal investigation into the alleged incident. 

Lone Star Lake will be closed to all boating activities beginning Friday morning, September 16, through Saturday afternoon, September 17.  The closure is to due to the CSCAA National Collegiate Open Water Swimming Championship being held at the lake.  Race participants will practice on the swim course on Friday, and the races will be held Saturday morning, weather permitting.  If weather prohibits holding the race on Saturday, the race will be held on Sunday, September 18.  All boat ramps will be closed beginning Friday morning through the finish of all race activities.

Jury Trial

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces on Tuesday, September 6 a Douglas County jury convicted Topeka resident Mark J. Bailey, 41, of driving under the influence.

Jury Trial

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that Thursday a Douglas County jury convicted Baldwin City resident Cody Wayne Bruce, 26, of aggravated battery.  

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces this afternoon that Lawrence resident Zachary J. Ortiz, 26, was sentenced to 19 months in prison for the June 2014 aggravated assault of a Lawrence Police Department Officer.  The Court also ordered him to pay a $1,696.20 Johnson County Crime Lab fee, a $400.00 Kansas Bureau of Investigation Lab fee and that he complete 24 months of post-release supervision.  Upon his release from prison, he must register as a violent offender for 15 years.  A jury found Ortiz guilty of the charge on July 22, 2016.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a Douglas County jury convicted Eudora resident Darren Curtis Howe, 47, of criminal sodomy and indecent liberties with a child. 

The case was originally filed in Douglas County District Court on December 24, 2013.  The defense requested many continuances that ultimately delayed the jury trial.  Investigation into the case began on October 17, 2013 when an officer with the Eudora Police Department was contacted by the parents of a 14-year-old girl who had been victimized by a relative. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces this afternoon Kansas City, Missouri resident Christopher J.G. McKay, 23, was sentenced today to 100 months (8.33 years) prison for attempted first-degree murder.  The Court also ordered upon his eventual release from prison that he register as a violent offender for 15 years and he complete 36 months of post-release supervision.  The original criminal case was filed in Douglas County District Court on March 14, 2014 and McKay pleaded guilty as charged on January 5, 2016. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson  announces this morning Lawrence resident Ryan Allen Miller, 37, was sentenced to a controlling sentence of 408 months (34 years) in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for his July 18 no contest plea to aggravated criminal sodomy, rape and five counts of aggravated burglary.  The Court also imposed lifetime post-release supervision upon his eventual release from prison.

Local emergency response agencies in Lawrence and Douglas County will participate in an emergency exercise in Lawrence Wednesday morning, Aug. 10.

The Douglas County outdoor warning sirens inadvertently were activated briefly this morning at 10:01 by another siren system with similar functionality over 350 miles away during their weekly siren test. Upon notice of the activation, EM Staff assessed any risk to the public, cancelled the activation and immediately contacted Blue Valley Public Safety (BVPS), the siren maintenance company. Staff then worked with partner agencies to assess any short and long term impacts of the issue on the system.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a Douglas County jury convicted Lawrence resident Zachary J. Ortiz, 26, of the June 2014 aggravated assault of a Lawrence Police Department officer. 

On Sunday, June 22, 2014 shortly after 12:30 a.m. officers with the Lawrence Police Department were dispatched to the area of Kasold Drive and Harvard Road in reference to the sound of gunshots fired.  The 911 caller said the shots were muffled and sounded like they came from the house on the corner or the house south of that one.