HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Reno County man saw his charges become more severe after a preliminary hearing in the case.

Joe Webster was originally charged with aggravated sexual battery, but after hearing from the victim and other witnesses, the state amended the charge to rape and added a second count of aggravated criminal sodomy.

The felonies involve the sexual touching of a woman that he was friends with. The victim testified that she was at a party near Pretty Prairie and had been drinking heavily. She admits to falling down in the mud. She eventually called Webster and asked him to come get her. He did and she passed out at his home on the couch. It was during that time the sexual assault allegedly occurred. She told the court that she thought she was dreaming during that time. Webster’s roommate witnessed what occurred. After the victim asked him what happened a few days later, he told her. His description matched what she thought was happening in a dream. She was shocked and not sure what to do. She eventually reported the incident.

This allegedly occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 30, 2018.

Both charges are level one felonies, which could see him in prison for a significant amount of time depending on his criminal history.

Webster will be arraigned on the charges Nov. 4.