WELLINGTON, Kan. (AP) — A former Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy who fled the country after being charged with child sex crimes was ordered held on $1 million bond after his first court appearance on Thursday.
Derick Chandler, 30, of Wellington, was charged in Sumner County after an investigation by Wellington police.
The Sumner County Attorney Larry Marczynski said Chandler fled to Turkey. He was arrested in Budapest, Hungary, and was extradited back to the U.S. on Tuesday, KWCH-TV reported.
Chandler was charged with five counts including sexual exploitation of a child, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated indecent solicitation of a minor under 14 years old.
His next court date was scheduled for April 1.
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A missing Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy is believed to be in Turkey.
Sheriff Jeff Easter says Homeland Security was able to confirm that Deputy Derick Chandler flew to Istanbul. Chandler is implicated in an investigation in Wellington of a sex crime involving a 13-year-old.
On Monday, a deputy found Chandler’s gun, badge, identification and armor in the back of his patrol car. He hadn’t been on duty for about a week.
Investigators believe he drove from Wichita to Dallas, flew to Houston and took another flight to Istanbul. Wellington officials have not issued a warrant for Chandler, so he is not currently considered a fugitive.
Easter said termination proceedings will begin, which can take at least a couple of weeks.