WICHITA, Kan. On Wednesday, Travis Hubin was arrested and booked on a felony charge of promoting prostitution or promoting the sale of sexual relations.
According to Kansas statute, promoting prostitution includes inducing another to become a prostitute.
“In this matter, the doctor is not accused of purchasing or producing pornography. Instead, he is, in essence, accused of paying two otherwise consenting adults for engaging in an act of sex,” said Trevor Riddle, criminal defense attorney at Monnat & Spurrier in Wichita.
Detectives with the Exploited and Missing Child Unit were investigating a separate case when they stumbled across another crime, in which Hubin was later arrested.
“They had learned that this 45-year-old male was providing money to individuals to videotape sexual acts and provide those videos to him,” said Sgt. Nikki Woodrow, Wichita Police.
In Kansas, it is illegal to sell or pay for others to sell sex.
“Kansas has made it unlawful to engage in an act known as promoting prostitution or, in the words of the statute, promoting the sale of sexual relations. Like it is unlawful to sell sex, it is unlawful to pay other people to sell sex,” said Riddle.
But it is not illegal to view pornography.
“There are well-established First Amendment rights, as it relates to a person’s ability in the privacy of their own home, to view particular material. In essence, no, it is not unlawful to purchase or possess pornography,” said Riddle.
Riddle wants to remind people that Hubin is accused of the crime but has not been found guilty.
“The doctor in this matter, as all American citizens accused of crimes, is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” said Riddle. “We always ask the people to respect that presumption and understand that at this time, this is nothing more than an accusation.”
Hubin bonded out of jail on Thursday afternoon. His bond was set at $50,000.
Detectives will present their case to the district attorney’s office and prosecutors will make a decision if any charges are filed against Hubin.
Hubin’s employer, Via Christi Clinic, issued this statement on Thursday:
“We are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities, and this individual is on administrative leave pending the investigation.”
According to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, licensed professionals are held to the Healing Arts Act (specifically 65-2836 and 65-2837).
KAKE News spoke with the executive director, Kathleen Selzler Lippert, on the phone.
Selzler Lippert said the Board collaborates and cooperates with other state agencies such as law enforcement and the district attorney’s office when a licensed professional is arrested. The Board will look into the matter and any disciplinary actions will be based on evidence. Selzler Lippert cannot speak specifically about any complaints, as those are confidential.
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