‘She’s not just a name in a report’: Leavenworth man convicted of child sex crimes
A Leavenworth man was found guilty of several child sex crimes in Leavenworth County court on Tuesday following a two-day trial.
A jury found Garfield C. Ross III, 35, guilty of one count each of attempted rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy, according to a Leavenworth County verdict form.
A press release from the Leavenworth County Attorney’s Office said a woman was returning home from work on July 22, 2025, when she discovered Ross and the victim, who was under the age of 14, in a bedroom.
After demanding Ross leave the home, the woman went to the Leavenworth Justice Center to report the incident, according to the press release.
DNA evidence collected from the victim’s clothing was tied to Ross, the press release said.
“Today’s verdict wouldn’t have been possible without the bravery shown by this survivor, a child,” Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson said in the press release.
Testimony filed against Ross in the case included letters from three separate women, all with ties to the man, alleging Ross perpetrated escalating instances of domestic abuse and assault against them.
In their respective letters, all three women asked first judicial district Judge Gerald Knuckelman to impose a hefty sentence in Ross’ case.
One woman wrote that the child at the center of the case “deserves justice,” and “to know that her pain was taken seriously.”
“She’s not just a name in a report. She’s a real kid, with real memories of what happened, and real fear that will live in her body long after the court date is over,” the woman said.
Ross has been held in the Leavenworth County jail since July 22, according to the jail’s inmate listing. He is set to appear for a sentencing hearing on March 18 at 1 p.m.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 8:27 PM.
