Barton County sheriff: Evidence in Great Bend swim team incident supports felony charge

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said evidence indicates a felony occurred during a bus ride last month involving members of the Great Bend High School swim team.

The alleged incident occurred Feb. 3 and was reported three days later, a statement issued by the sheriff’s office said Wednesday.

The ensuing investigation “supports evidence” that the felony of aggravated criminal sodomy occurred. The sheriff’s office has identified a 15-year-old boy as a victim and a 17-year-old boy as a suspect. Both are students at Great Bend High School.

“Through various methods of investigation and numerous interviews, the sheriff’s office determined the crimes occurred on Northeast 30 Road in Barton County … between 8:30 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. on February 3,” the release stated.

Evidence also supports misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal restraint, according to the sheriff’s statement. The case was presented Monday to the Barton County attorney, who will make the final determination on what, if any, charges are filed.

“I believe the evidence supports these crimes,” Bellendir said in an interview Wednesday afternoon.

Bellendir said he has no evidence indicating there are any additional victims or suspects in the February incident.

Another incident involving the Great Bend swim team is under investigation in Ellsworth County. The alleged incident reportedly occurred Feb. 6 on a Great Bend school bus “as it was coming through the county,” Sheriff Tracy Ploutz said.

He presented evidence in the case to the county attorney earlier this month, Ploutz said.

“He’s busy and hasn’t had time” to determine what, if any, charges will be filed in the case, Ploutz said of the county attorney.

In an e-mailed statement, the Great Bend school district asked for the support of all the students and families involved as the legal process plays out. It said it was prohibited from disclosing any details regarding disciplinary actions taken.

“The district fully appreciates the seriousness of the allegations and is as concerned about them as our students, their parents and our community is,” the statement said.

It also referenced its earlier assurances that it would revise its practices regarding adult supervision on bus trips.

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Barton County sheriff: Evidence in Great Bend swim team incident supports felony charge."