A Manhattan man has been sentenced to 72 months in prison in connection to the kidnapping and aggravated robbery of a Junction City man this past April.

Jerrod Snyder, 30, of Manhattan was arrested in April on charges connected to the kidnapping and armed robbery of Richard Rothfuss, 69, of Junction City.

Barry Disney, Prosecuting State Attorney explained that Snyder did enter into a plea agreement in August and was sentenced Monday in Riley County District Court.

“He pled to aggravated robbery, which is taking money by gunpoint, and kidnapping, which is driving the victim out to western Riley County,” says Disney.

During the preliminary hearing Snyder was identified as the man who had kidnapped Rothfuss on April 6th and forced him to drive to rural western Riley County by gunpoint. Snyder then instructed Rothfuss to get out of the vehicle, he then tied Rothfuss’s hands using a tow strap and forced him to lay face down in the ditch. Snyder then took cash from Rothfuss and took off in his vehicle.

During the sentencing Rothfuss described lying in the ditch with his hands tied and a gun to the back of his head, calling it “indescribable.” He then stated that he feels Snyder should be put in jail forever.

Judge Bosch did say that though the charges against Snyder are serious they are not ones that deserve he be placed in prison forever.

Snyder was then sentenced to 72 months in prison on the kidnapping charge, 59 months on the aggravated robbery charge, and 19 months on a third charge of making false writing. Snyder will receive time served of 144 days in the Riley County Jail, and all three sentences will run concurrently. Additionally Snyder was ordered to pay $1,400 in restitution to Rothfuss.

Bosch did tell Snyder that when he does get out of prison  he will have a support system that “very few have.” He also mentioned that there are a number of programs that Snyder can participate in to receive help while he is serving time, and that he is hopeful that Snyder can continue the strides he has already made during his time in the Riley County Jail.