A Parsons man agreed to terms in a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to three charges related to a domestic violence incident last year.
Justin A. Alvarez, born in 1989, 1401 Chess, pleaded guilty in Labette County District Court to aggravated domestic battery, stalking, both felonies, and criminal restraint, a misdemeanor. Alvarez is looking at probation instead of prison time with the plea. An amended complaint was filed with the court before the plea.
The original charges were aggravated kidnapping, a crime punishable by a minimum of 147 months in prison, aggravated intimidation of a witness, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery, all felonies, and domestic battery, a misdemeanor.
The amended complaint alleges that on Oct. 6, 2024, Alvarez impeded the breathing or circulation of a woman with whom he had a dating relationship. The stalking and restraint charges alleged those criminal actions on the same date.
During his plea hearing this week, Alvarez’ attorney, Kyle Fleming, said his client did not have a criminal history, which means he would be eligible for probation under Kansas law. The plea requires Alvarez to complete the batterer’s intervention program within 60 days, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow its recommendations and remain on house arrest with GPS monitoring until sentencing. He is also to refrain from contacting his former girlfriend.
Alvarez will be sentenced on June 2. In other cases: — Michael C. Morales, 49, 2314 Appleton, charged in Labette County District Court with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and interference with a law officer, is working through a mediation process with the county attorney to try to resolve his case. This week, Morales’ attorney, David McDonald, asked for another 45-day delay to try to resolve the remaining issue. Morales, who is charged with the murder of Maurice Harper and the attempted murder of Tylor Abshere, will return to court on May 16 for a plea or a status hearing.
— Shadaiva D. Benge, born in 1990, Bolivar, Missouri, who pleaded guilty to aggravated escape from custody, was sentenced to an agreed and controlling 48 months in prison. The sentence included time left on an older case in which she was convicted of possession of methamphetamine and non-residential burglary. She was also to pay restitution of $316.80 in the older case. She received credit for roughly 11 months served in jail while her cases were pending.
— Jody D. Malcolm, born in 1970, 1810 Morton, pleaded no contest to non-residential burglary (laundry facility) and theft, both felonies. The complaint alleged that on Dec. 9, 2024, Malcolm entered a laundry facility that was not a residence. He was originally charged with aggravated burglary for entry of occupied house, a crime that would have required prison time. Malcolm will be sentenced on May 22.
— Vincent S. Janssen Jr., born in 1987, 1720 Dirr, pleaded guilty to aggravated escape from custody, a lower-level felony. He will be sentenced on May 22. Other cases were dismissed as part of the plea.
