Lawrence person convicted in 2014 sexual battery case

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury returned guilty verdicts on two counts of aggravated sexual battery against Axel R. Bordelon, 30, of Lawrence, for a 2014 case involving a then-19-year-old University of Kansas student.

Charges stemmed from two incidents in 2014. The first incident occurred in July of 2014 and the second occurred in November of 2014.

The jury acquitted Bordelon on one count of attempted rape and one count of aggravated criminal sodomy. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on three other counts that included one count of rape and two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy.

“This jury’s verdict demonstrates that this community has no tolerance for act of sexual violence,” District Attorney Valdez said. “These are always difficult cases and we appreciate the jury’s hard work.”

The State was represented by Assistant District Attorney Ricardo Leal and Assistant District Attorney Samantha Foster. The case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department.

The case was set for further scheduling by Judge Sally D. Pokorny for 3 p.m., March 1, 2023 at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Bordelon faces between 31 and 136 months for each count of aggravated sexual battery and will have to register as a sex offender for 25 years.