PAWNEE COUNTY—A Kansas man accused of the Jessica's Law offense of Aggravated indecent Liberties; lewd fondling of a child under the age of 14 is out of custody after a two day jury trial in Pawnee County.
A jury made up of 6 men and 6 women deliberated for approximately two and a half hours Wednesday afternoon before returning a Not Guilty verdict for 33-year-old Joshua Bernal, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug Mcnett.
The alleged incident was reported to the Larned Police Department on August 29, 2022, and was additionally investigated by the Kansas Department of Children and Families. It was alleged to have occurred at a private residence in Larned during the Summer of 2022.
Bernal was arrested on October 14, 2022, without incident.
Following the reading of the verdict, District Judge Bruce Gatterman released Bernal from any further obligation to the Court.