OLATHE, Kan. — A 21-year-old Overland Park woman appeared in Johnson County court via a video conference on Wednesday to face charges of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a minor.
Julissa Estrada was arrested at her home Wednesday at 9 a.m. and later charged. She made her first appearance at the Johnson County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon. The arrest and court appearance came unexpectedly according to her attorney.
“I don’t think, based upon what this family told me today, that they thought this was coming,” said Estrada’s attorney Carl Cornwell.
According to court documents, Estrada assaulted the alleged victim between August 2013 and November 2013. Estrada was 20 years old at the time.
“Our office and the investigators take their time in investigating these cases to make sure that we have the sufficient evidence to go forward with it,” said Stephen Howe, the Johnson County District Attorney.
The law in Kansas states anyone under the age of 14 is under the age of consent.
“Under the laws in the state of Kansas, it doesn’t matter what the perception is of either one of the individuals, the victim or the defendant, it’s still a violation of the law,” added Howe.
Estrada is charged with one count of rape and one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, both counts are considered off grid felonies — meaning if she’s convicted, she could face 25 years to life in prison.
“Bond was 150,000, court was kind enough to reduce it to 100,000 with a GPS and no contact,” her attorney said.
Estrada’s attorney believes that this particular is unique as the circumstances are different in his opinion.
“I think the prosecution knew and would agree that this is a one time, same person, not somebody driving down the street, who sees a 12 or 13-year-old person, grabs them, runs into the woods, rapes them. They’d be charged with the same thing my client is charged with,” said Cornwell, who added that the family is struggling with the Wednesday’s arrest and charges. “They’re pretty sad, especially when I told them what she’s looking at, and that you have a sex tag for the rest of your life.”
Estrada’s second appearance will be next Thursday. She will remain in jail until she appears again before a judge.