The former City Manager of Liberal in western Kansas is arrested and faces charges of rape.

 

Deputies from the Seward County Sheriff's Office arrested Russell “Rusty” Varnado on Tuesday afternoon. Varnado was arrested on a warrant from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for rape, sexual battery, and lewd and lascivious behavior.

 

The KBI was asked to assist in the investigation in August when the initial allegations arose. Varnado is accused of one count of rape stemming from an incident that occurred in March. He is also accused of sexual battery against a different woman for sexual touching without consent and also for exposing himself to the same woman in August. Varnado was serving as City Manager in Liberal when both incidents occurred. The city terminated Varnado's employment contract on September 29.

 

Varnado made his first appearance in a Seward County courtroom yesterday, where his bond was reduced from $250,000 to $100,000. His next court appearance is set for December 2.