LARNED – Alexander M. Jacobs, 36 of Larned, made his formal First Appearance Monday afternoon before District Magistrate Judge Dale Snyder on a five-count felony criminal complaint of sexual abuse of a minor.
Jacobs was charged with two counts of criminal sodomy of a child, two counts of electronic solicitation of a child, and one count of indecent solicitation of a child. Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett said the charges involve a minor at least 14 years of age but less than 16 years of age.
“The charges stem from a report by a medical provider on April 9, 2026, of a possible sexual assault of a 15-year-old-male,” MCNett stated in a news release. “The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded as the report indicated the assault occurred outside the city limits of Larned. The investigation was assigned to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) on or about April 12, 2026, when the sheriff’s department identified a former employee, Alexander Jacobs, as a possible suspect. Pawnee County Clerk records indicate Jacobs was employed by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department from March 23, 2015, until January 20, 2025.”
A spokesman for the KBI said there is no evidence at this time that suggests the alleged criminal activity occurred during Jacobs’ current or former employment and his employment is unrelated to the criminal investigation.
While the investigation is ongoing, the KBI presented its request for charges to the Pawnee County Attorney’s Office on Aug. 20, and an arrest warrant was issued that afternoon. Jacobs was arrested without incident at his residence on Thursday, Aug. 21, with the assistance of the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department.
At the First Appearance, the defendant waived a formal reading of the Complaint. Judge Snyder advised the defendant of the charges, the possible penalties if convicted and his constitutional rights, including his right to counsel. If convicted, under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines the defendant faces between 55 months (four years and seven months) and 247 months (20 years and seven months) in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history. Additionally, the defendant would be subject to the Kansas Offender Registration Act as a sex offender.
Counsel was appointed to represent the defendant and a Preliminary Hearing was scheduled for Sept. 8.
The Court further granted the State’s request to raise bond. The initial bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety. After hearing arguments from Pawnee County Attorney McNett, Judge Snyder raised the bond to $250,000 cash or surety. The Court further directed that law enforcement verify there are no firearms at the residence the defendant intends to reside prior to the defendant being allowed to post bond. In the event the defendant posts bond, the Court ordered Jacobs will be subject to electronic monitored house arrest and supervision of Court Services under standard bond conditions.
Jacobs remained in custody at the Ford County Jail at the time of this release, Monday evening.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The KBI noted earlier that the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.
