HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 51-year-old man who was on parole for a 1991 case has been formally charged in two more.

While appearing before a judge Friday via video, Eric Harbacek again stated that he’s not guilty of any of the charges against him. He also indicated that he wanted to represent himself on the new charges. However, Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen was able to convince him to accept an appointed attorney. But, Harbacek also made it clear that he wanted to invoke his right to a speedy trial.
Harbacek is charged by the state in one case with criminal possession of a firearm for allegedly having a rifle despite prior convictions for a person felony. This occurred on July 26.
In the second case, he’s accused of stealing some firearms from a building he is supposedly going to rent for a barber shop. The owner of the property says Harbacek stole the guns on July 16. Harbacek said in an earlier hearing that he did have the guns moved to a location in Careyville, where they were being stored because he knew he couldn’t have them.
Judge Allen scheduled the next hearing in the matter for Aug. 22. However, Harbacek noted that he may be back in prison on a parole violation at that time.