A former USD 383 paraeducator was sentenced to prison for child sex crimes in Riley County District Court on Thursday.
32-year-old Aaron Zachry was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on single counts of indecent liberties with a child and sexual exploitation of a child. Zachry is eligible for parole after 25 years. He will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Zachry had initially pled not guilty to 37 counts last December but following revelations he was facing similar charges in Geary and Pottawatomie County, he agreed to a current plea bargain charging him with the two counts.
Public defender Cole Hawver argued in court on Thursday that while Zachry’s crimes were horrible and that he deserved to be punished for his crimes that he should receive a lesser sentence due to the extent of his crimes.
Hawver cited past cases where similar charges led to lesser sentences. Hawver also said that Zachry’s lack of a criminal record should allow for him to receive rehabilitation for his crimes.
Riley County Deputy Attorney Trinity Muth rebutted Hawver’s argument and mentioned that Zachry had initially been charged with 37 counts and had several other cases pending in other counties.
Muth argued that Zachry deserved 50 years to life for his crimes which Judge Kendra Lewison agreed with giving Zachry consecutive sentences of 25 to life, totaling 50 years in prison if he doesn’t receive parole.
Zachry is the second USD 383 staff member to be charged and sentenced with child sex crimes this year. Joshua Penabaz was sentenced to life in prison for child sex crimes back in July before Judge Lewison.
The post Former USD 383 paraeducator sentenced to prison for child sex crimes appeared first on News Radio KMAN.
