William L. Vogel Sr. was sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges of rape of a child under the age of 14, aggravated indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14 and kidnapping.
The 51-year-old Sabetha man was sentenced by Judge James A. Patton on Thursday, Dec. 18, in Nemaha County District Court. The victim’s mother, Candace Mortorff, read a prepared statement.
Vogel was sentenced to 186 months for rape, 59 months for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and 55 months for kidnapping. Patton ordered the sentences to be served consecutively — one after the other.
Following this, Vogel will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Case History
Vogel waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered a plea of no contest to the charges on Nov. 10. The court then found Vogel guilty.
Charges of rape of a child under the age of 14 and aggravated indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14 originally were filed by Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert against the 51-year-old Sabetha man on Monday, Aug. 11.
The Sabetha Police Department began seeking Vogel in connection with the above charges on Sunday, Aug. 10, but Vogel evaded authorities, leading to a nationwide manhunt. Vogel was finally taken into custody in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Sept. 9, when Sabetha Police Chief Robert Wahwasuck says he turned himself in to authorities.
Amber Deters | Herald