A southern Indiana man was recently arrested for child molestation and other felony charges. The Indiana State Police said troopers arrested the 32-year-old man from Salem after receiving a tip from a school resource officer in Washington County that an adult male had possibly molested a child. According to the Indiana State Police, the investigation began in February 2024. Investigators allege that the illegal sexual contact occurred over the span of several months in both Washington and Clark counties. The investigation involved both state police and caseworkers with the Indiana Department of Child Services. They conducted interviews with the child and others related to the case.

The defendant is facing three counts of child molestation, one count of tattooing a minor, one count of child seduction, one count of child solicitation, and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor. He is being held without bond. 

Child Molestation Charges in Indiana

Child molestation is defined by Indiana statutes under Ind. Code § 35-42-4-3. The statutes define child molestation as knowingly or intentionally performing sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child less than 14 years old. Child molestation is considered at least a Level 3 felony punishable by a sentence between 6 and 20 years. If the sexual conduct involves fondling or touching of a child with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the suspect, it is considered a Level 4 felony punishable by a sentence between two and 12 years. 

Under Indiana law, the crime of child molestation may be upgraded to a Level 1 or Level 2 felony under certain conditions. Level 1 felonies have a presumptive sentencing range between 20 and 40 years in state prison. To trigger a Level 1 felony prosecution, the suspect must be accused of having sexual contact with the victim and:

• When the crime is committed by an individual who is at least 21 years old
• The crime is committed with the use of a deadly weapon or the threat of deadly force
• The crime results in serious bodily injury to the victim
• The crime is committed with the use of a drug or controlled substance without the victim’s knowledge
• The crime results in the transmission of a dangerous sexually transmitted disease and the suspect knew they were infected with the disease

A suspect may face a Level 2 felony if they touched or fondled the victim with the intent to arouse them, and:

• Threatened the use of deadly force
• Used a deadly weapon during the commission of the crime
• Furnished the victim with a drug or controlled substance without the victim’s knowledge

Talk to an Indiana Sex Crimes Attorney Today

Chris Arrington represents the rights of defendants facing sex crime charges in Indiana. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.