Lawrence man found guilty of child sex crimes, including rape of child under 14
After a two-day trial, a Lawrence man was found guilty this week of two counts of child sexual crimes.
A Douglas County jury found Jordey McTaggart, 36, guilty on one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of rape, a news release from the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office said.
According to an online Kansas court portal, McTaggart’s charges stemmed from incidents in 2018 and between January 2020 and January 2022. The abuse was reported in 2025, and the Lawrence Police Department launched an investigation.
“During the trial, the victims testified that they delayed disclosing the abuse because they feared they would not be believed or would be blamed,” the release said.
Douglas County District Attorney Dakota Loomis said cases like this one are “incredibly difficult.”
“The victims were children when this happened, and they carried what they experienced for years before feeling safe enough to tell someone,” Loomis said in the release. “Standing in a courtroom and talking about those experiences takes an incredible amount of courage.
“ ... And I hope today’s verdict gives the victims some measure of peace knowing they were heard.”
Senior Assistant District Attorney Megan Ahsens and Deputy District Attorney David Melton prosecuted the case.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 9.
