Michael Edward Mastel, 52, a Wyandotte County Sheriff’s deputy, was charged with five counts concerning a minor, including one charge of rape, on Tuesday.
Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said the charges included rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, and three counts of sexual exploitation of a child under 18.
Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash said Mastel worked in the Wyandotte County Jail, in the adult detention center, and these alleged incidents did not occur at work. He said Mastel is still employed, and has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
He worked for the sheriff’s office since August 2008, Ash said.
“I’m disappointed, I’m angry about the nature of the charges and the alleged behavior,” Ash said. “That being said we still have to show up every day and do our job. We still have to continue to move forward and be prepared to handle whatever comes before us.”
Dupree said once police agencies receive a call, they investigate to see whether there is probable cause. Once it is brought to his office, it is reviewed to see if charges will be filed.
The charges are off-grid felonies, according to Dupree. The charges all concerned the same child, he said. Because of privacy concerns about the child, he did not release much other information.
“I would like to speak to the parents and the adults in the community,” Dupree said. “Please believe your children, as this office will always believe your children. Not only will we believe them, but we will always stand with them.”
It is imperative for everyone to listen when children speak, he said.
“Let that child speak their truth, so that justice could be done,” Dupree said.
One of the charges is from an incident in 2011 and another from 2018. In 2018, these allegations came to the sheriff’s department and then were turned over to the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, Dupree said.
There were no prior charges against the deputy, according to the district attorney’s spokesman.
Dupree echoed Sheriff Ash’s comment that “the allegations make me angry.” Regardless of what child it is or who the suspect is, the sheriff is right, he said.
“It should not happen. Our children are the most vulnerable in the community. If we don’t stand up and speak up and say something about it, then clearly, who will?” Dupree said.
“I hope that the community takes away that if you hear something, if you see something, one, believe the child, and two, then say something about it,” Dupree said.