Sedgwick County, Kansas District Attorney

09/01/2026

08/28/2026

JOSHUA ORLANDO SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

WICHITA, KS — Joshua Orlando was sentenced Friday to life in prison by Judge Jeffrey Goering in Sedgwick County District Court, following his conviction July 1, 2026.

Joshua Orlando, 29, of Wichita pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder and aggravated kidnapping in the April 17, 2026, shooting death of Ivy Unruh.

Orlando was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, a punishment commonly known as a "hard 25." The sentence was imposed on Count One. Orlando was also sentenced to an additional 165 months on the aggravated kidnapping charge consecutive to count one. Meaning, that sentence will be served after the Count One sentence is complete, not at the same time. As a result, Orlando will not be eligible for parole for approximately 38.75 years.

District Attorney Marc Bennett and Assistant District Attorney Moriah Plowden prosecuted the case.

The District Attorney’s Office encourages anyone experiencing Domestic Violence to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or contact the local resources like Harbor House at (316) 268-6000 or the Wichita Family Crisis Center at (316) 268-7501.

08/28/2026

Yesterday, District Attorney Bennett had the opportunity to speak with the Wichita Metro Crime Commission, Inc. about the work of our office and some of the current trends we're seeing in our community.

These conversations matter to us. They give us a chance to explain not just what we do, but why we do it, and to hear directly from the people we serve.

We're grateful for the strong partnerships we have with community groups like WMCC, and for the continued support of our local law enforcement agencies. That kind of collaboration is what allows our office to do this work effectively, and we don't take it for granted.

Thank you to Wichita Metro Crime Commission for the invitation and the engagement. We look forward to more conversations like this one.

08/24/2026

Contractor Sentenced to 7 years in KDOC

WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita man has been ordered to spend more than 7 years in prison for a series of financial crimes investigated by the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

On Friday, Sedgwick County District Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced Chad E. Smith, 55, to 85 months in prison. The sentence follows his conviction for multiple thefts occurring between 2023 and 2024. Smith took money promising to complete several construction and home remodeling projects without completing or even beginning work. Smith also pled guilty to falsely representing that he was a license general contractor in order to obtain business from multiple victims. Once Smith completes his prison term, he must serve 24 months of post release supervision. He was also ordered to pay more than $500,000 in restitution to his victims.

The case was investigated by Kristen Zluticky of the District Attorney’s office, combining multiple police reports from the Wichita Police Department and Cheney Police Department. Smith previously served time in the Department of Corrections for theft offenses occurring in Johnson and Shawnee counties.

The District Attorney reminds residents that contractors for many residential projects in Sedgwick County are required to be qualified and licensed by Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD). Work may also require permits, inspections and certificates of occupancy to insure the work is safe and up to code. Some trades have additional duties, for example, roofers are required to register with the Attorney General’s Office. Before hiring any contractor you should ask for a copy of their license and proof of business insurance.

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08/21/2026

Angelynn Mock enters guilty plea to First Degree Murder

WICHITA, KS — Today, Angelynn Mock entered a guilty plea to one count of first-degree murder in connection with the murder of her mother, 80 year old Anita Avers, on October 31, 2025, the District Attorney's Office announced today.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Mock pleaded guilty to Count 1, first-degree murder, an off-grid person felony under K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 21-5402(a)(2)(c)(1)(B).

The charge carries a statutory presumptive sentence of life in prison with eligibility for parole after 25 years, as set out in K.S.A. 21-6620(b)(1).

The plea was entered before Judge Faith Johnson. Sentencing is scheduled for October 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Marc Bennett and Deputy District Attorney Shannon Wilson.

08/21/2026

Carr requests for reconsideration denied

WICHITA, Kan. — On August 5, and August 6, Jonathan and Reginald Carr each filed motions with the Kansas Supreme Court to reconsider the court’s rejection in June of their most recent appellate arguments.

The Chief of the Sedgwick County District Attorney Appellate division, Boyd Isherwood, responded in writing to both motions on August 18.

Yesterday afternoon, August 20, 2026 at 2:45 p.m. and 2:48 p.m. respectively, the Kansas Supreme Court issued a one-line denial:

“Considered by the Court and Denied.”

Barring further appeals, the cases will return to the Sedgwick County District Court to begin proceedings under K.S.A. 60-1507, challenging the quality of representation each defendant received from their trial lawyers.

08/20/2026

An investigation is ongoing into a 6 figure loss which was the result of an erroneous electronic payment.

The Office of the District Attorney reminds all business owners, if you receive an email request from a vendor/ employee or payee of any kind to alter the transfer money made via ACH (automated clearing house) and the amount is more than you can afford to lose – please do two things first:

(1) check the email address, to make doubly sure that it exactly matches the known vendor’s or employee’s email; and

(2) physically pick up the phone and call that employee or vendor you intend to pay to confirm that they made the request.”

08/14/2026

District Attorney Bennett and Deputy District Attorneys Breitenbach and Wilson were proud to attend last night’s Wichita Metro Crime Commission Annual Steak Out Dinner.

The office of the District Attorney is grateful for partners like the Crime Commission who show up for the law enforcement community year after year.

08/14/2026

Please join us in congratulating Chief Assistant District Attorney Becky Hurtig on her retirement.

Becky joined the office on May 4, 2015, beginning her career here in the Child in Need of Care Unit. In 2016, we asked Becky if she would consider moving to the Charging Unit. She agreed, and in December 2021 she was named Chief Assistant District Attorney of the Charging Unit, a role in which her work touched nearly every case that came through this office.

What may be less visible from the outside is the role Becky played in shaping the next generation of investigators. Known affectionately around the office as “Mama Beck,” she brought patience, honesty, and, when necessary, tough love to countless charging appointments. Many young detectives who came through this office are better at their jobs today because of the time and guidance Becky gave them, often without much recognition for it.

We will miss her steady judgment, her mentorship, and her sharp sense of humor, which made even the longest charging days a little easier.

Congratulations to Becky on 39 years in the practice of law. Enjoy your retirement, you’ve earned it!