Republic Man Pleads to Lesser Charges in Connection with Alleged Rape

Pedro Leite of Republic pled guilty to felony aggravated endangerment of a child and attempted abuse of a child on Monday, March 20th, the Belleville Telescope reported this week.

Leite was originally charged with rape of a child under the age of 14 and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.  The case was originally filed by the Kansas Attorney General's Office.  It was later withdrawn due to staff shortages and returned to Republic County.

Cloud County Attorney Rob Walsh represented the state acting as Republic County Attorney in the case.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 5th.

Leite, the former Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Affairs at Cloud County Community College, most recently worked in higher education as a Student Support Advisor in the Office of Diversity at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina.  He has also worked in administrative or faculty roles at Butler County Community College, Friends University and Kansas State Polytechnic.

According to the Belleville Telescope, the felony charge is punishable by five to 17 months of incarceration and up to a $100,000 fine.  The other charge, which is a misdemeanor, is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $25,000.  Any jail time given must be served consecutively with any other sentences.