The Emporia Gazette

February 13, 2012

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Former student teacher and coaching assistant Darin M. Redeker pleaded no contest Friday afternoon to one amended charge involving attempted sexual exploitation of a child under 18.

The amendment does not change the charge, but specifies the subsection under which Redeker was charged, according to Assistant County Attorney Rick Buck, who is prosecuting the case. Four charges originally had been filed against Redeker.

Redeker entered the no-contest plea before former District Judge John Sanderson, in the courtroom of Chief Judge Merlin Wheeler.

“If I accept your plea, you will be found guilty,” Sanderson told Redeker before questioning the defendant about his understanding of the no-contest plea.

Sanderson asked whether anyone had made promises to, or threats against, Redeker in conjunction with the plea.

Redeker responded that none had been made.

Sanderson also asked whether Redeker understood that by pleading no contest, he would waive the right to a trial and the right to cross-examine witnesses against him.

Satisfied that Redeker had made the plea of his own will and that he understood the consequences of the plea, Sanderson accepted the no-contest plea and found Redeker guilty of amended Count 3.

Redeker was charged on April 27 with two counts of indecent solicitation of a child between 14 and 16, one count of sexual exploitation of a child less than 18 years of age, and one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a child under 18 years of age. He made his first appearance in court on April 30.

The court on Friday afternoon dismissed both indecent solicitation charges and the count of sexual exploitation of a child.

Sanderson granted defense attorney Michael G. Patton’s request that the affidavit filed in the case remain sealed. The affidavit provides details on which prosecutors relied to file charges against Redeker.

Redeker’s next appearance in court will be for sentencing at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 14.

Redeker had been a student teacher and a coach with a supplemental coaching contract in the Southern Lyon County school district.

Superintendent Mike Argabright said at the time of the initial court proceedings that Redeker’s employment with the district ended Feb. 9.

Phil Bennett, dean of The Teachers College at Emporia State University, said that Redeker is no longer in the teaching program at ESU.