Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir released the following information Monday regarding the arrest of a Great Bend man in connection with an alleged rape case:

“On the afternoon of Oct. 25, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of an alleged rape case that occurred in rural Barton County. The victim was identified as a juvenile and was known to the suspect. The Sheriff’s Office also received information that the suspect was armed.

Sheriff’s Office detectives and deputies conducted an investigation, which led to the identification of the suspect. The suspect, identified as James S. Swanson III was located on 35 Avenue, southeast of the city of Great Bend. A felony traffic stop was conducted by multiple officers and Swanson was taken into custody without incident.

Swanson was tra

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