LIBERAL, Kan. (KSNW) — The former city manager of Liberal is jailed and facing multiple charges connected to incidents that happened in March and August.
Court records show Russell “Rusty” Varnado is charged with one count of rape, one count of sexual battery, and one count of lewd or lascivious behavior. He made his first appearance in Seward County Court Wednesday.
Varnado is accused of raping a woman in March. He is also accused of sexual battery for sexually touching another victim without her consent and exposing himself to her in an incident in August.
The bond was reduced from $250,000 to $100,000. His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2.
The City of Liberal provided KSN with the following statement:
The City of Liberal terminated the employment contract with former City Manager, Rusty Varnado, on September 29, 2024. We are unaware of the specifics of charges for which he has been arrested.”
City of Liberal
The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.