Beverlin For Pratt County Attorney, 300 S Ninnescah Street, Pratt, KS (2026)

07/07/2025

The Kansas Crime Index Report is a data tool I reference when reflecting on whether we are achieving our goal of keeping crime down in Pratt and fostering a safe community. The index report is compiled to provide a historical assessment and snapshot of crime trends. When I took office as Pratt County Attorney in 2017, the Pratt County index rate was 36.6 with 353 total index reported offenses. At that time, the Kansas Statewide index rate was 30.6. I remember going to bed at night eight years ago and wondering if my car was going to be the next one broken into. (Both my car and my husband’s car did get broken into.).

In the 2024 Kansas Crime Index Report published last week, The Pratt County index rate was 11.4 with 104 total index reported offenses. The 2024 statewide index rate was 23.3, the lowest reported in 20 years. The data shows law enforcement has and continues to work hard in our county and state. Crime will always be present, but I care very deeply about my part as the County Attorney in fostering a safe community in Pratt America.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation annually publishes a Kansas Crime Index Report and Report on Adult and Juvenile Arrests. The crime index rate is defined as total index crimes per 1,000 in population. Index crimes are defined as murder, r**e, robbery, aggravated assault/battery, burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft. The statistical crime report is based on data submitted by local and state law enforcement agencies and represents the most accurate information available, reflecting crime as reported by law enforcement agencies through the Kansas Incident Based Reporting System. You can find these reports at:https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/stats/docs/pdf/2024%20Crime%20Index.pdf

02/03/2025

The Pratt County Attorney’s Office investigated complaints made by six individuals alleging violations of the Kansas Open Meetings Act (the “KOMA”) by the USD 382 Board of Directors. My findings were included in a letter to the Board, dated January 13th, 2025.

Following my review, I concluded there is enough evidence to support a finding by a preponderance of evidence that the Board’s September 16, 2024 executive session violated the KOMA. I further concluded there is enough evidence to support a finding the Board violated KOMA in ways not included in the complaints received by my office. Specifically, my review found the additional violations:
(1). The Board’s minutes inaccurately reflect those present in the September 16, 2024 executive session and a pattern of inaccuracies in documenting individuals present in executive sessions.
(2.) The Board’s September 16, 2024 motion to enter into executive session was deficient and a pattern of deficient motions to enter into executive session.
(3.) The Board engaged in improper interactive discussion of a matter of substance among a majority of a quorum in response to the KOMA complaint.

I asked the Board take the following remedial actions to resolve these violations:
(1.) The Board complete at least one hour of KOMA training with the next 90 days. I requested the Board encourage the Clerk, and other staff, including the Superintendent, who work with the Board to also attend this training. I request the training be held in public during a regularly scheduled board meeting. I further request the Board provide notice to and invite the public to attend. I believe the public will be served by an understanding of the KOMA.
(2.) The meeting minutes should reflect the training and specifically identify which Directors and staff were in attendance for the training. The minutes should further reflect the individual and/or entity that provided the training.
(3.) Provide a copy of the training material to my office for my review.
(4.) Adopt and use a checklist or other similar protocol or process to ensure that the Board meets all the statutory requirements for recessing into executive session. The checklist should reflect each step that must be taken when making a motion to move into executive session. The checklist should be available for referral to all Directors during each meeting.
(5.) Amend the minutes of the May 13, 2024 meeting to accurately reflect who was in attendance of the executive sessions.
(6.) Post in the Board’s usual course for posting meeting minutes, the Board’s minutes from its May 8, 2024 special meeting.

Though the Board did not agree with all of my conclusions, they agreed to complete the remedial actions. On February 5th, 2025, the Pratt USD 382 Board of Education will convene a Special Meeting at 5:30 p.m. to complete their KOMA/KORA training. This meeting is open to the public and I encourage all that can to attend the training, despite the short notice provided.

05/21/2024

I offficially filed my Nomination Petition today and I will be on the August 6th ballot seeking a third term as Pratt County Attorney. Thank you to all 110+ Pratt County citizens who signed my petition. I look forward to serving another four years.

04/24/2024

The majority of the child welfare cases In Pratt County are the result of caregiver substance abuse that leads to neglect and abuse of children. Children testing positive for methamphetamine, fentanyl, and ma*****na are most often exposed to these substances from a caregiver in the household. DEC exists to help make a difference in the lives of children impacted by their caregiver’s substance misuse or addiction by bringing professionals and communities together to address the issue. It takes a village, I’m wearing red in court today to support National Drug Endangered Children Day.

10/24/2023

We are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Monday morning on U.S. Highway 54, about five miles west of Pratt, Kansas.

The Pratt County Sheriff’s Office requested the KBI conduct an investigation on Monday, Oct. 23 at 10:50 a.m. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) responded to investigate.

Preliminary information indicates that a motor carrier inspector from the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) observed a silver 2016 Honda Odyssey on the side of U.S. Highway 54 in Kingman County and stopped to offer aid. He ran the vehicle’s tag, and before the tag returned the van departed heading west. The tag then came back stolen out of Saline County, so KHP and deputies from the Kingman County Sheriff’s Office attempted to locate the vehicle.

They found the van stopped along the highway and positioned patrol vehicles in front of and behind it. The female driver then rammed a Kingman County patrol car and fled. A chase ensued and entered Pratt County, at which time the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office joined. During the pursuit the male and female occupants switched who was driving.

Law enforcement deployed stop sticks several times during the chase, attempting to slow the van. It came to a stop in the parking lot at the Casey’s convenience store at 1900 E. 1st in Pratt. The female passenger, later identified as Abyana Parker, 22, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, exited the vehicle and ran. A deputy with the Kingman County Sheriff’s Office deployed a taser during her arrest. Parker was arrested for aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, flee and elude, operating a stolen vehicle, interference with law enforcement, and criminal damage to property.

Meanwhile, the male subject, later identified as 29-year-old Ulysses M. Parker II, of Colorado Springs, fled in the opposite direction. He forced the occupant of a white 2007 F-350 pickup that was pulling a trailer and water tank out of the vehicle and stole it. Parker fled west on U.S. Highway 54, crossing the center line multiple times, endangering motorists and forcing at least one driver off the road. Parker then made a loop in a field and began heading back east, toward Pratt. Stop sticks were deployed and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. During the incident a deputy from the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office fired multiple times into the truck, and Parker was struck in the arm.

He was transported to a Wichita hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Parker was later released and was arrested for aggravated assault. Additional charges are expected. Both subjects were booked into the Kingman County Jail.

The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this shooting. Once completed the findings will be presented to the Pratt County Attorney for review. This investigation is ongoing.

⚠ The KBI asks anyone who was driving in this area Monday around 10:45 a.m., and impacted or endangered by this incident, to call 1-800-KS-CRIME to provide a statement. ⚠

07/10/2023

The annual Kansas Crime Index reports came out today. Pratt County 2022 total crime index rate was 4.7, down from last year’s 7.1. To put that number in perspective, when I first ran for this position in 2016, Pratt County’s crime index was 36.6. In 2016 I remember feeling as a mother and member of this community that I knew we could do better and that we could create a safer environment for our families. I want to congratulate Pratt’s law enforcement community for their tireless work and I look ford to continuing my service to this community.
2022 Crime Index Report:
https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/stats/docs/pdf/2022%20Crime%20Index.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2aVgJkO_ok85ajDFP9c_REc0nhqUmEWIkUenhTLVp0UAPVKsfz8v4jBlA

04/26/2023

Wearing red for Drug Endangered Children Awareness Day. Learn more at the Kids Fair this weekend, or join us at our next meeting May 17th at the Front Porch, 4:00 p.m.

02/02/2023

Last week I submitted my annual year in review summary to the Pratt County Commission. If I could sum of 2022, it was a whirlwind working through the remainder of the covid backlog, and, navigating cases with new strategies in a changed court system. Zoom court has made a permanent mark on Kansas courts. Juvenile and Child and Need of Care proceedings continue to be generally heard via Zoom. Criminal docket has turned into a hybrid of partial zoom, partial in person appearances, depending on the facts and circumstances of each case. All felony cases with our district judge continue to be heard in person unless there is a waiver of personal appearance on file and approved by the court.

Criminal Case flings were up with a total of 164 filings in 2022, compared to 143 filings in 2021. CINC and Juvenile cases remain steady. CINC cases tend to remain open for upwards of a year or two, and this year we had more than a few contested parental termination hearings, which happen when the court finds a child cannot be reintegrated into a home despite efforts of the court and agencies.

This year I was glad to see growth in the Pratt County Drug Endangered Children Alliance (DEC). In 2020, myself, Terri Ligget from USD 382, Joy Schwartz of DCCCA, and Pam Ford of the Hope Center participated in training paid for by grants to help build more DEC programs in Kansas. Since 2020, we have built the alliance to include protocols and MOUs from local agencies. The mission of the Pratt County DEC Alliance is to embrace all opportunities on behalf of children in drug endangered environments to lessen trauma and ensure 100% healthy, happy and safe children living in safe communities. The Pratt County DEC put on the first annual Kids Fair in the spring, which was a fun, family friendly event for our community.

Also reported was the crime index rate for Pratt County and Kansas Statewide. The crime index is the number of crimes per 1000 people. The 2021 Statewide Crime Index was 27.2, down from 29.7. The Pratt County 2021 crime index was 7.1, down from 14.1.

I am pleased to announce for the 6th year in a row, I ended the year under budget. It is a privilege to serve Pratt County and I am thankful to be allowed the opportunity to work in this community.

10/29/2020

Though jury trials are not yet being scheduled, criminal cases in the Pratt County District Court are moving along with both in person and remote hearings. The following are some of the recent felony sentencings issued by the Court:

Eric Boyles was sentenced to serve a 40 month prison term for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. He is subject to register as a drug offender for 15 years.

Adam Mounts was sentenced to serve a 24 month prison term for convictions of Criminal Use of a Financial Card, Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, and Theft.

Matthew Jalali was remanded to the Kansas Department of Corrections to serve a 30 month prison sentence in a probation revocation matter for Possession of Methamphetamine.

Sonny Tusune Morris was sentenced to serve a 28 month prison sentence for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Theft. Morris is subject to register as a drug offender for 15 years.

Matthew Shane Rost was sentenced to serve a 10 month prison sentence for Possession of Stolen Property and Sentenced to a 6 month underlining sentence, with a 24 month probation following his release from prison, for Theft.

Shiloa Dawn Blankenship was remanded to the Kansas Department of Corrections to serve an 18 month prison sentence in a probation revocation matter for Possession of Methamphetamine.

John Blick Jr. was remanded to the Kansas Department of Corrections to serve an 11 month prison sentence in a probation revocation matter for Possession of Methamphetamine.

In Kansas, the severity level of a crime and the defendant’s criminal history are the two primary factors used to determine punishment of a convicted felon. Prison and probation time are set by the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines.

08/07/2020

And for some positive news, the 2019 Crime Index Report came out today and the data shows welcoming signs that crime has gone down in Pratt County. The Pratt County Crime Index is down from 36.6 in 2016 to 16.7 in 2019. The 2019 Kansas statewide crime index is 29.3. I commend the Pratt PD and Pratt SO for their continued hard work.

The Pratt County index rates from 2014-2019 are summarized below.
2014: 283 total reported offenses with an index rate of 28.5
2015: 341 total reported offenses with an index rate of 34.5
2016: 353 total reported offenses with an index rate of 36.6
2017: 145 total reported offenses with an index rate of 15.2 *this report includes only 10 months of reporting from the Pratt PD, all other reports have 12 out of 12 months reported.
2018: 185 total offenses reported with an index rate of 19.5.
2019: 156 total reported offenses with index rate of 16.7

Beverlin For Pratt County Attorney

07/07/2025

02/03/2025

05/21/2024

04/24/2024

10/24/2023

07/10/2023

04/26/2023

02/02/2023

10/29/2020

08/07/2020

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