Town 'terribly shocked'
19 sex charges for Inman police chief
By Darcy Gray - The Hutchinson News - dgray@hutchnews.com
INMAN - The arrest of Inman's police chief at his home Tuesday night on 19 charges - including allegations he molested four children - shocked the small community of about 1,200 people.
Michael L. Akins Jr., 38, is accused of sexually abusing three girls and one boy between the ages of 9 and 14, according to the criminal complaint filed against him Tuesday night by the Kansas Attorney General's Office.
Akins 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.
The crimes are alleged to have occurred between December 2008 and December 2009.
Six of the charges fall under Jessica's Law, mandating a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years upon conviction, according to the complaint.
Akins was arrested at 8:25 p.m. Tuesday after sheriff's deputies forcibly entered his home in Inman, McPherson County Sheriff Larry Powell said Wednesday.
"Deputies verbally announced their presence and knocked lively on the door," Powell said. "We knew that he was inside the residence, and it was our concern that he could have done something."
Recent investigation
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate about a week and a half ago at the request of the McPherson County Sheriff's Office. The Kansas Highway Patrol also aided in the investigation, according to Ashley Anstaett, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, although she would not comment on who initially reported the alleged crimes.
Inman Mayor John O'Brien said authorities notified him New Year's Eve of an investigation into Akins, but he was not informed of what the allegations were. O'Brien called a special meeting of the Inman City Council on Dec. 31, but without knowing more details, "it was a matter of waiting to see what happened," he said.
City officials didn't learn until early Wednesday of the allegations of child sex abuse, O'Brien said, noting officials were "absolutely shocked." Council members met for a special meeting at 6:30 Wednesday morning and agreed to suspend Akins without pay. The council also named police officer Bob Herron as acting chief.
Shackled and dressed in a black and white striped jumpsuit with a bright orange sweatshirt, Akins made his first appearance Wednesday morning in court before McPherson County District Judge Carl Anderson, who refused to reduce Akins' $250,000 bond.
As the judge read aloud the 19 counts, Akins nodded his head and later acknowledged he understood the charges against him. Akins told the judge he was going through a divorce but would try to hire an attorney.
"I assume I don't have a job," Akins said.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, although Anderson said the hearing would likely be continued. He explained a judge from Saline County would be in town Friday to address the case, since McPherson County judges will not be able to in the future.
"Obviously, I know you," Anderson said to Akins, explaining why a Saline County judge would be stepping in.
A Hutchinson native, Akins was hired in 2005 and named police chief in 2007, according to Inman city officials. O'Brien said Akins previously worked in law enforcement in Rolla in southwest Kansas.
'Terribly shocked'
Many Inman residents expressed shock and sadness Wednesday after learning of the allegations against their police chief.
Richard Shroyer, who is retired but serves as a firefighter and EMT for the city, recalled working with Akins on many occasions and described him as friendly and "really outgoing."
"When he first came here, he became acquainted with everyone from the preschoolers to the elderly," Shroyer said. "He was a people person - everyone knew him by name.
"This was a real surprise to us. He's done a good job as chief, and I think he took his job seriously. It wasn't just something to fill his time with."
At the Main Street Pizza Cafe, 23-year-old employee Drew Luty said Akins knew just about everyone in town and gave his cell phone number to local citizens.
Longtime resident Kyle Buller, 32, also said Akins had always been very friendly and described the recent charges as "awful."
Even though the charges are just allegations, Buller said, "he was put in a position of power, so either way it's a bad deal."
Nancy Schroeder-Warner, who with her husband, Norton, splits her time between Inman and Connecticut, said she was "terribly shocked" to learn of Akins' arrest.
"It's such a shame, because this is such an intimate community," she said. "You know everybody and they know you, and this is just sowing seeds of wariness."
O'Brien said Akins' arrest and subsequent charges would be on the agenda for discussion during the upcoming City Council meeting Monday night.
"We're not going to convict him until he's convicted," he said of Akins. "He's presumed innocent until proven guilty."
Reporter Clara Kilbourn contributed to this report
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And yet we are supposed to trust these people with our safety...
What was the purpose of putting that on the forum? Just curious.That stuff sadly happens somewhere every day all over the world.
Quote"I assume I don't have a job," Akins said.
Ya think? ROTFL
Anyway, just goes to show you can't trust anybody too much these days.
He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Quote from: twirldoggy on January 18, 2010, 06:25:46 PM
He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
I think pretty much no matter how it goes the people won't trust him and he'll be removed even if found not guilty.
You can bet your bippie that they didn't arrest him until they had proof that he was guilty. A man in that position of power doesn't get rousted until someone has all their i's dotted and t's crossed
Quote from: Diane Amberg on January 18, 2010, 04:36:23 PM
What was the purpose of putting that on the forum? Just curious.That stuff sadly happens somewhere every day all over the world.
Diane, I posted that show that just because a person is in law enforcement, and charged with our safety, doesn't mean that they can be trusted. Yet many on here are willing to turn over their freedoms to people like this.
Twirldoggy, the guy has 19 charges against him, I seriously doubt he is innocent, but you are right, he gets his day in court.
Quote from: Varmit on January 18, 2010, 08:15:25 PM
Diane, I posted that show that just because a person is in law enforcement, and charged with our safety, doesn't mean that they can be trusted. Yet many on here are willing to turn over their freedoms to people like this.
Twirldoggy, the guy has 19 charges against him, I seriously doubt he is innocent, but you are right, he gets his day in court.
Varmit, you do realize that the police are not charged with our safety or protection. THey have no legal obligation to do so.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/politics/28scotus.html?_r=2
I know what you mean srkruzich but most people don't realize that. And that is usually the excuse that law enforcement uses to violate our rights.
Varmit you must have a hard time if you assume everybody is out to get you in one way or another. Nobody can be trusted? If there is one bad pervert priest out of thousands, should Catholics abandon their faith? If there is one arsonist out of thousands of firefighters, should we close the stations and let your house burn? If one person dies during surgery should all surgeons stop trying to save lives? If one mail carrier steals mail should we close down the US mail system? It sounds sad that you seem to have such a mistrust of your fellow human beings. You seem in my opinion to be mixing private issues with public issues and mixing freedom with convenience and social programs with sociaism. You do not have the right to drive. If DUI checks are inconvenient to you, tough! Everybody is inconvenienced equally so get over it. As far as a child being scanned in an airport....so what. Touching is something else again. Flying is not a right either. So take the train. Sure, bad stuff does happen from time to time, but what about the good times? Shall we all have survivors guilt? Sounds like PTSD to me. There is no relationship whatever to someone coming on your property without cause and looking in your windows, and some one's behavior on a public street, whether its on some form of transportation or walking around. On the one hand you say the agencies trying to help Haiti are corrupt but there are people here who need help. But if we tackle that poverty ,the people are accused of being socialist! Sorry, life will go on. We will never, as a people live up to your expectations. But that's what chronic complainers thrive on,something to complain about. The rest of us will keep pecking away at the bad stuff when it's found and never ever give up. Try being positive, you might like it.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on January 19, 2010, 01:32:19 PM
Varmit you must have a hard time if you assume everybody is out to get you in one way or another. Nobody can be trusted? If there is one bad pervert priest out of thousands, should Catholics abandon their faith? If there is one arsonist out of thousands of firefighters, should we close the stations and let your house burn? If one person dies during surgery should all surgeons stop trying to save lives? If one mail carrier steals mail should we close down the US mail system? It sounds sad that you seem to have such a mistrust of your fellow human beings. You seem in my opinion to be mixing private issues with public issues and mixing freedom with convenience and social programs with sociaism. You do not have the right to drive. If DUI checks are inconvenient to you, tough! Everybody is inconvenienced equally so get over it. As far as a child being scanned in an airport....so what. Touching is something else again. Flying is not a right either. So take the train. Sure, bad stuff does happen from time to time, but what about the good times? Shall we all have survivors guilt? Sounds like PTSD to me. There is no relationship whatever to someone coming on your property without cause and looking in your windows, and some one's behavior on a public street, whether its on some form of transportation or walking around. On the one hand you say the agencies trying to help Haiti are corrupt but there are people here who need help. But if we tackle that poverty ,the people are accused of being socialist! Sorry, life will go on. We will never, as a people live up to your expectations. But that's what chronic complainers thrive on,something to complain about. The rest of us will keep pecking away at the bad stuff when it's found and never ever give up. Try being positive, you might like it.
After reading your assault on Varmit's opinions, I have one thing to say to you, Diane....
Try being positive, Diane... Try being positive!
He has his opinions, I have mine. I feel sad that he seems so sad or angry or dissatesfied so much of the time. Speaking of being positive, The girl scouts have a new cookie out, has cranberries in it, sounds good! I bought some to try.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on January 19, 2010, 02:05:51 PM
He has his opinions,I have mine. I feel sad that he seems so sad or angry or dissatesfied so much of the time. Speaking of being positive, he girl scouts have a new cookie out,has cranberries in it,sounds good! I bought some to try.
COOKIES? I LOVE COOKIES! http://www.sesamestreet.org/video_player?p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_id=videoPlayer_WAR_sesameportlets4369&p_p_videoListId=621
Quote from: Diane Amberg on January 19, 2010, 01:32:19 PM
Varmit you must have a hard time if you assume everybody is out to get you in one way or another. Nobody can be trusted?
HELLOOOO!! This post was about a Chief of Police raping and molesting children!! The point being is just because someone wears a uniform with a badge doesn't mean they can automatically be trusted. How many articles do we have to read about cops tasering kids, pregnant women, elderly people?? How many times do we have to hear about so-called law enforcement officers beating 15 yr old kids just because he mouthed off?? Yet we are supposed to just automatically surrender our freedoms because some John Law Wyatt Earp wannabe said so. WAKE UP!
QuoteIf there is one bad pervert priest out of thousands, should Catholics abandon their faith? If there is one arsonist out of thousands of firefighters, should we close the stations and let your house burn? If one person dies during surgery should all surgeons stop trying to save lives? If one mail carrier steals mail should we close down the US mail system?
The problem with your analogy is that it isn't just one. How many times in the past few years have we heard about some sicko pedophille priest molesting and raping children?? Do you honestlly think that the term "going postal" came to be after just one incident? As for the rest that quote, I have never said those things so quit implying that I did. That is one thing that I have noticed about you Diane, you take what someone says and twist it to extermes. For someone who claims to be "in the middle" you sure like to lean.
QuoteIt sounds sad that you seem to have such a mistrust of your fellow human beings.
Diane, having a little mistrust is a healthy thing. If it wasn't for mistrust we wouldn't have things like pepper spray, handcuffs, bulletproof vests, locks on our doors and windows, or a loaded pistol and shotgun by the bed (maybe that last one is just me) Trust must be earned.
QuoteYou do not have the right to drive. If DUI checks are inconvenient to you, tough! Everybody is inconvenienced equally so get over it.
No, not everyone is inconvenienced equally. I have seen cops pick and choose who they stop at random. What right does that officer have to stop me if I have done nothing wrong? Whatever happened to things like Resonable Suspison and Probable Cause?? Oh yeah, I forgot, little things like the Constitution and the Law seem to be forgotten as soon as some of these cops put on a badge.
QuoteAs far as a child being scanned in an airport....so what.Touching is something else again.
Are you serious?? So to you, it is okay for some airport security guard to view a naked image of a child in the name of security?? That is Frickin SICK!!
QuoteFlying is not a right either. So take the train. Sure, bad stuff does happen from time to time, but what about the good times? Shall we all have survivors guilt? Sounds like PTSD to me.
Survivors guilt??...No, what we should have is the freedom to travel where and how we want without having to worry about some Chester getting his/her rocks off through the use of a "naked" scanner, which by the way haven't stopped a single terrorists.
QuoteThere is no relationship whatever to someone coming on your property without cause and looking in your windows, and some one's behavior on a public street, whether its on some form of transportation or walking around.
Wrong. I believe that until a person has earned my trust, they don't get it. However, I will give the person on the street a little more credit, someone on my property looking into my window is gonna catch a bullet no questions asked. I am not going to wait around to find out what their intent is.
QuoteOn the one hand you say the agencies trying to help Haiti are corrupt but there are people here who need help.
Gee, Diane, could it be because alot of agencies trying to help in Haiti are corrupt? And yes there are people here that need help. When was the last time you saw the president try and rally support for our disabled vets, exploited children, homeless... And yes I would rather see our resources spent trying to help our own people than wasted on a thrid world piss ant of a country that has recieved billions in aid and yet has failed to better it situation. I would rather see our resources spent on helping our Veterans than wasted on people who are hacking each other to pieces for a bag of rice. Yes I would rather see our charity used on OUR homeless instead of being thrown away on people that don't have the decency to bury their dead, they just throw them out with the rest of the garbage.
QuoteBut if we tackle that poverty ,the people are accused of being socialist!
No, once again I didn't say that. So I will cover this one more time so pay attention. Charity, when given freely is fine, in fact it is commendable. However, when it is forced, (like using taxpayer money to fund welfare programs) thats socialism, taking by force or threat of force from someone and giving it to someone else is wrong. Now, did you get all of that or do I need to explain it yet again?
QuoteSorry, life will go on. We will never, as a people live up to your expectations. But that's what chronic complainers thrive on,something to complain about. The rest of us will keep pecking away at the bad stuff when it's found and never ever give up. Try being positive, you might like it.
Pecking away at the bad stuff...start with the dirty cops, pedophille preists, rotten teachers, crocked politicans, ought to keep you busy for a while. And while you are at it, take off the blinders and quit acting like the world is all sunshine and roses.
I refused to give up and be depressed and frustrated just because you are. I can only do what one person can do but it's my privilege and calling to do it. By your thinking nobody should bother helping people here eitherv vbecause some one will still need it next year and the year afte and there always seem to be more so why bother. That's a very fatalistic point of view
Frustrated and depressed?...Nope. And I never said that people shouldn't help others, in fact, if you had read my previous post I stated clearly that charity was a good thing. Yes, some people need help from time to time, that I don't mind. However, there are those that abuse our charity, and for them I say let them suffer.
Its not about being cold-hearted or whatever, its about facing the fact that there ARE classes of people. Some are good, others are nothing more than leaches. Some will actually try and better themselves and their situation while others will continue to prey on the weak and seek only to improve their situation at the costs of others.
Fatalistic?...no....realistic.
Well now, that was a much more reasonable response. I just think there are far more good people than you do.
By the way, I never expected you to take my comment about the kids and airport scanners seriously. You are too easy a mark for my poking at you to sometimes lighten up. I had assumed you had read many of the same articles I had about the already existing concerns about that. The child protection groups hit that hard the moment it was suggested. The idea was modified almost instantly. Over 18 will be common, kids, as I understand it would be scanned only if the person accompanying them is acting weird and they might be trying to use a baby or child as a mule, as is the case now. Sure, it's inconvenient sometimes, but God didn't chose to put visible labels on the "good" people, so we do the best we can. (That is often cultural too.). Some people do get over the meanness . There are many, many extremely bad young people, who finally do mature and "see the light" so to speak. Should they have been aborted before birth? Castrated at 14? electrocuted at 18? I sure don't know.
It is a huge disappointment when a trusted person betrays that trust. We have a legal system that eventually will take care of most of them. We have a couple of cases here now. One is a pediatrician and the other a photographer. I hope they go to jail forever. But that doesn't mean that all pediatricians and photographers are suspect. There were also things the parents didn't do to keep their kids protected. They are partially guilty too.