SHAWNEE COUNTY—A man accused of child sex crimes involving two runaway children has been arrested and charged in the case.
Joseph Austin McColgin, 20, has been charged with sexual abuse of two children, according to Shawnee County District Attorney Michael Kagay. The charges nclude rape of a child under 14 by an offender over 18, aggravated criminal sodomy with a child under 14 by an offender over 18, two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child 14-16, criminal sodomy with a child 14-16, aggravated domestic battery and aggravated endangering a child.
In February, Topeka Police Department opened an investigation into allegations that a suspect later identified as McColgin, had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl that had been reported as a runaway, according to Kagay.
Through the investigation, Kagay said officers found that McColgin had also been involved in a sexual relationship with another runaway for nearly a year when she was 13 and 14 years old. The alleged crimes happened between June of 2020 and April of 2021 at various locations in Topeka.
McColgin is being held on a bond of $250,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 2.