Governor Offers Reward For Information on Murder in Ford County

Press Release

Governor Mark Parkinson is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminals in the unsolved murder of Jesus Aaron Lerma.

"We must remain vigilant in the pursuit of information to help catch the perpetrator(s) of this heinous crime. No matter how much time it takes, friends and family of victims deserve answers," said Parkinson. "We're hoping someone can come forward with information and bring justice to Jesus' loved ones."

Lerma's body was found on July 31, 2001 in a field in rural Ford County, and an autopsy determined that the victim died from a single gunshot to the chest on or about July 26, 2001. No vehicles or weapons were found around the body, and despite multiple interviews with friends and family of the victim, a potential suspect has not been identified. The victim's vehicle was later found abandoned on a side street in Dodge City, in which it was then processed for evidence by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). Latent finger and palm prints were found; however, the Ford County Sherriff's Office has not determined the identity of the owner(s) who left the prints.

Kansas Statute, K.S.A. 75-113, provides for the Governor to offer a reward of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any criminal or perpetrator(s) whenever any heinous crime has been committed in the state. Governor Parkinson issued Executive Order 10-03 pursuant to the Kansas statute for the homicide of Jesus Aaron Lerma.

The Ford County Sherriff's Office is encouraging anyone with information regarding this incident to please call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 620-227-STOP (7867).

Source