Former Kickapoo chair enters pleas on federal charges
TOPEKA (KSNT) - Days after his sentencing in tribal court, a former chairman of the Kansas Kickapoo Tribe appeared in federal court on charges involving allegations of domestic abuse and child sex crimes.
Lester Randall, 49, made his first appearance Monday at the U.S. District Court in Topeka. He pleaded not guilty in two separate cases.
Federal prosecutors indicted Randall in July 2024 on four counts of assault. According to court records, he is accused of physically striking and strangling his wife. The alleged incidents are reported to have occurred between September 2023 and April 2024.
In December of 2024, prosecutors indicted Randall on three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor: production of child pornography, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor: receipt of child pornography, and one count of enticement for prostitution. The alleged incidents are reported to have occurred between February 2020 and June 2022.
Prosecutors have requested both trials be held in Topeka. Randall is scheduled back court on Tuesday, Jan. 21 for a detention hearing. He remains in custody while awaiting trial.
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