Ottawa man pleads guilty to rape and furnishing alcohol to a minor for illicit purposes

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Ernest F. Ingram II, 22, of Ottawa, agreed to plead guilty to rape, a level-one person felony, and furnishing alcohol to a minor for illicit purposes, a level-nine person felony.

The charges stemmed from incidents that occurred on or about September 20 through September 22, 2021. Ingram was at a residence in the 400 block of North Street in Lawrence when he raped a child under 18 years of age who was incapable of giving consent due to consuming alcohol that was furnished by Ingram.

“This young survivor showed bravery and courage in coming forward,” District Attorney Valdez said. “Our prosecution team worked closely with the survivor to ensure the defendant faced accountability for his appalling crimes, and we are pleased with the outcome.”

The State was represented by Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Tatum. The case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department.

Sentencing was set by Judge Amy Hanley for 1:30 p.m., on February 8, 2023 at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Ingram faces up to 267 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for rape and up to seven months for furnishing alcohol to a minor for illicit purposes. The plea calls for the sentences to run consecutively.