Brandt's request for new attorney denied

6/11/2012 9:43:00 PM

Brandt's request for new attorney denied

By Staff Reports

TROY - An adoptive Troy father charged with raping three boys and compelling child prostitution through online advertisements had his request for a new attorney denied Monday in common pleas court. A judge did agree to reschedule the man's trial that was planned for later this month.

The June 26 trial of Kenneth H. Brandt, 40, was continued Monday, but has yet to be rescheduled.

Brandt's attorney, Stephen King, public defender, filed a motion with the court seeking to withdraw himself from the case after he stated his client no longer seeks to retain King as an attorney.

At a hearing in court Monday, Judge Robert Lindeman denied Brandt's request for a new attorney.

Brandt has been charged with 31 rape charges. Eleven of those first-degree felony charges involve a victim under the age of 10 and each one is punishable with 15 years to life in prison. The remaining 20 rape counts are punishable by up to 11 years in prison.

The children involved in the case were 9, 10 and 12 when the alleged sexual abuse was first discovered.

Brandt, who has pleaded not guilty to all of his charges, remains behind bars at the Miami County Jail on an $800,000 bond.

In March authorities raided Brandt's Troy home after the allegations were made and confiscated several items, including computers and media devices.

Presently, all three of the victims are currently staying with relatives and are being supervised by Miami County Children Services, according to the Troy Police Department.

Meanwhile, the case against Jason M. Zwick, 29, of Beavercreek, remains pending in common pleas court. Zwick has been charged with three counts of rape. Zwick has entered not guilty pleas in his case.

Authorities believe Zwick, in addition to one other man, responded to Brandt's online advertisements about child prostitution, according to the Troy Police Department.

Brandt has also been charged in Montgomery County with sex crimes related to the Miami County case. That case remains pending.