A preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for an Emporia man facing charges of sexual assault in Lyon County District Court.
Suspended Emporia chiropractor Eric Hawkins was seeking two modifications to his bond — one allowing him to leave Lyon County to confer with his defense counsel with offices in Topeka and Lawrence. The second request was to allow Hawkins to relocate to Texas in order to take a job with a family-owned business.
Hawkins’ attorney, Chris Joseph, argued the relocation was necessary to support his family.
This was the second modification request by Hawkins in two weeks. On Sept. 20, Hawkins made the same request to leave the state and was denied by Judge Doug Jones. Although prosecutors had no objection to Hawkins’ relocation, providing he be GPS-monitored, the request was again denied by Judge Jones.
Joseph also motioned for Hawkins’ preliminary hearing, originally set for Oct. 24, to be moved to Nov. 14 at 2 pm to allow attorneys ample time to prepare. That motion was approved, however, Judge Jones remarked there would be no further grants of continuance.
Hawkins stands accused of rape and sexual battery involving three separate individuals since 2015. The incidents were first brought to light after Hawkins had his chiropractic license suspended by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in July.
