KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - Linda Kaufman to Spend 15 Years in Prison

Linda Kaufman to Spend 15 Years in Prison

By Kim Wilhelm (WICHITA, Kan.)

Former nurse Linda Kaufman will spent 15 years in prison.  Kaufman, and her husband, Arlan, ran a Newton group home for mentally ill residents.  In 2006, a jury convicted them of doing nude therapy and using a stun gun to punish and control residents. 

Originally, Arlan Kaufman was sentenced to 30 years in prison and Linda Kaufman received a sentence of seven years.  But the courts took another look at Linda Kaufman's sentence and asked Federal Judge Monti Belot to resentence her. 

Belot considered stun gun evidence as a reason to lengthen her sentence.  Linda Kaufman had told the court the "zapper" was only used to protect herself from violent outbreaks from the residents.  Evidence showed she and her husband used the stun gun on a male resident's genitalia. 

"She used the zapper and aided and abetted the zapper," said Belot.  "I reject the thought it was for protection."

Another reason Linda Kaufman's sentence was increased was because of the large number of vulnerable victims in the case.  Nancy Jensen is a former Kaufman house resident who attended the resentencing proceeding.  She is pleased by the new sentence.

"Survivors of Kaufman house can rest assured now that they can't hurt us anymore," said Jensen.

Before she was sentenced, Linda Kaufman, 66, asked the court to consider her age.   Belot said it wasn't a factor with her husband's sentence and wouldn't be a factor with her either.

"I can't think of enough negative words to describe Arlan Kaufman," said Belot.  "If he dies in prison, so be it."

Belot said he believe Linda Kaufman would not commit other crimes if released from prison.  He also added she's made positive contributions while serving her time.  But he did point to her responsibility with what went on inside the Kaufman house.

"You were an equal partner in keeping Kaufman house in business," said Belot. 

Kaufman's family released this statement following the new sentence.

"We are very disappointed that the Court has added so much additional time after my mother has served 2/3 of her original sentence as a model prisoner.  Our family is devastated by this lack of justice.  Prosecutor Treadway has shown a blatant disregard for truth and fairness while seeking this longer sentence.  Prosecutor Treadway has intentionally misrepresented the record, and interjected false hearsay as fact.  She already took everything away from my mother 4 years ago, but yet she came back for more.  Contrary to public opinion, these convictions arose out of poor judgment, but not malice.  It is disappointing that the Judge did not give more weight to that fact.  Imprisoning a 66 year-old non-violent woman for 15 years accomplishes nothing."

Linda Kaufman can appeal her new sentence.  No word if she plans to do that.