Thirty-nine year old James Henning has been given a controlling term of two life prison sentences with the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Henning was sentenced Thursday in Geary County District Court on earlier convictions on multiple charges including two counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child, three counts of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, four counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, and one charge of Rape. The charges had stemmed from the September 2014 time frame. The victim was his eight-year old daughter.
In court a tearful Henning apologized for his actions. As to why he commited them he stated if he knew he didn’t think he would here ( in court ) now. Henning also stated,”I do not believe I am a bad person.” And he noted, “regardless of my sentence I will pay for the crims for the rest of my life.” He stated that words couldn’t describe his sorrow and regret.
The defense asked for a durational departure on the sentence, and sought a term of 155 months. The lengthy military service to the country by Henning and lack of any criminal history were cited in support of the motion. Henning served 19 years in the military, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and had served as a military policeman. He served six overseas tours of duty. The standard 25-year to life sentence that applied on the charges in this case was described as essentially a cookie cutter approach.
Prosecutor Michelle Brown opposed any type of departure in sentencing, noting that life was the presumptive sentence on each count. She added letters written by Henning since his arrest showed no remorse, that he had blamed his eight-year old child for sexually provoking him, and still maintained he did nothing wrong. Brown said there was nothing to justify a departure. The court did not grant the departure request.
In announcing the sentence in the case the judge granted good time credit for time already served….in this case 436 days in jail. Henning does have a right to appeal in his case.
Henning was arrested on Nov. 25, 2014 by Junction City police at his 123 East 12th Street residence in Junction City.