Manhattan, KS – Additional charges have been filed by the Riley County Attorney’s office for Joshua Penabaz, 44, of Manhattan as a result of ongoing investigations into two past cases.

Penabaz is charged with aggravated criminal sodomy, two counts of rape, and four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child that were reported to have occurred between 2009 and 2011 involving a female victim between the ages of 2 and 4 at the time. The relationship between Penabaz and this victim is unrelated to his previous employment.

An additional charge of rape has also been filed for Penabaz after new information was discovered connecting Penabaz to a reported September 2021 incident involving a 5-year-old female student at a preschool within the USD 383 school district where he was employed at the time.

These additional charges are unrelated to his Feb. 18 arrest for numerous rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and aggravated criminal sodomy charges. Those sex crimes were reported to have occurred over several years and were unrelated to his previous employment. He has remained confined in the Riley County Jail since the Feb. arrest and will remain confined on a $1 million bond.

The investigation into Penabaz continues, anyone with information is encouraged to contact RCPD at (785) 537-2112 or Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777.

Due to the nature of these crimes, no further information will be released.

We understand the gravity of this news to the parents of our local children.

Please visit the below link for resources on creating a safe environment for your child to share about any situation where they feel unsafe.

https://www.rileycountypolice.org/safety-questions

If your child’s response gives you a general idea of an incident and you suspect something illegal, criminal, or overall concerning happened, please contact RCPD or the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) at 1 (800) 922-5330 for further guidance.