McCook man sentenced on indecent solicitation charges in Kansas court

NORTON -- A McCook man will serve 5 1/2 years in a Kansas correctional facility after being sentenced on two counts of felony aggravated indecent solicitation of a child.

In Norton, Kan., on Monday, Judge William Elliott sentenced Gary Hartwell, of 71619 Road 381, McCook, to 34 months in prison on Count 1 and 34 months on Count 2, sentences to be served consecutively.

Norton County Assistant County Attorney Karen Griffiths said Thursday afternoon that Hartwell was originally charged with four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a minor, but in a plea negotiation, pleaded guilty to the lesser charges, which are Level 5 felonies in Kansas.

Hartwell will be screened before being placed in a correctional facility, Griffiths said.

Hartwell turned himself in to Norton law enforcement officials in December. The charges stemmed from incidents that happened in Norton County between Aug. 1, 2006, and Oct. 14, 2008 and involved two girls.