Pannell sentenced to 10 days in Harney County Jail following guilty plea
By Mindy McKerrall on Friday, October 2nd, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
HARNEY COUNTY-A Harney County man was sentenced to 10 days in county jail on Thursday after pleading guilty to failing to report as a sex offender.
Michael Ken Pannell appeared in person in Harney County Circuit Court on Oct. 1 before Presiding Judge Robert S. Raschio. The court determined that Pannell was indigent and appointed local attorney John B. Lamborn to represent him. Deputy District Attorney Ryan Patrick Hughes appeared on behalf of the State of Oregon.
According to court records, Pannell entered a guilty plea to Count 1, Failure to Report as a Sex Offender under ORS 163A.040(3)(a), a Class A misdemeanor. The charge stemmed from an incident occurring on or about Feb. 19, 2026.
Pannell knowingly waived the statutory two-day waiting period prior to sentencing. Judge Raschio ordered him to serve 10 days in the custody of the Harney County Jail, granting credit for any time previously served. Pannell, who was not in custody at the time of the hearing, was instructed to report to the jail by 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 5, 2026, to begin serving his sentence.
In addition to incarceration, Judge Raschio ordered Pannell to pay a $250 fine, which has been entered as a money award in favor of the State of Oregon. The court noted that Pannell may be considered by supervisory authorities for alternative sanction programs under Oregon law.
