Barton County sheriff plans to plead not guilty in KBI investigation
Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir will plead not guilty to mistreating a confined person while serving an arrest warrant on Aug. 10 in Great Bend.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said Bellendir was ordered to appear in court following an investigation by their agency.
Kansas statutes define a confined person as someone who is confined or detained by a law enforcement officer or in a correctional institution. Mistreatment of a confined person is a misdemeanor offense in Kansas.
Bellendir said in a Facebook post that he intends to plead not guilty, “as I do not believe my actions rise to the level of the crime charged. I look forward to the time when I will be able to inform the public of the entire situation. Until that time, my deputies, staff and I will continue to serve and protect the citizens of Barton County. It has been my goal as Sheriff to keep the public informed and I intend to do so in due course.”
Nichole Manna: 316-269-6752, @NicholeManna
This story was originally published November 6, 2017 at 6:48 AM with the headline "Barton County sheriff plans to plead not guilty in KBI investigation."