Wichita man gets 26 years for brutal sexual attack at south-side massage business
A 34-year-old Wichita man on Wednesday was ordered to serve 26 years, four months in prison for attacking a massage parlor worker at a business on East Harry last March.
Wichita police have said Arden W. Vanhorn walked into the business on March 14, 2021, insisted on receiving a massage from the 47-year-old woman working there and then forced himself on her. He sexually assaulted her at knife point, threatened to kill her and choked and repeatedly beat her until another customer interrupted the attack, police have said.
The woman escaped after the other customer walked into the lobby. She later identified Vanhorn as her attacker from a photo lineup. Video evidence also showed him entering and leaving the parlor, according to an arrest affidavit released in the case.
Vanhorn pleaded guilty in February to one count each of attempted aggravated criminal sodomy, attempted rape, criminal threat and sexual battery; four counts of aggravated battery; two counts of aggravated assault; and two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior, according to court records.
In addition to serving the 316-month prison sentence, Sedgwick County District Judge David Kaufman ordered Vanhorn to pay $1,710 in restitution to the woman and an additional $4,232.64 to the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board, said Dan Dillon, a spokesman for the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. The board helps violent crime victims cover lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses and funeral costs.
Vanhorn’s lawyer had asked for a 180-month prison sentence, saying in a written motion that long-term drug use and mental illness “played significant roles” in actions that he now “deeply regrets.” But the judge denied the request.
