By SGT. RON GALAVIZ
Public Information Officer – Fort Wayne Indiana State Police Post

DEKALB COUNTY  — A 24-year-old man from Ashley was arrested today, Wednesday, Sept. 2, and lodged in the DeKalb County Jail, without bail, following an investigation into allegations of sex crimes involving a minor female during the summer of 2013.

According to Indiana State Police Detective Jake Quick, on three separate occasions between June and August 2013, James M. Pettit was alleged to have had sexual intercourse with a female who was 13 years of age at the time.

The investigation began following allegations that Pettit had raped the same female back in March of this year at Sunset Park in Ashley.

As a result of Quick’s investigation, the DeKalb County Prosecutor’s Office charged Pettit with the following:

• Child Molesting, class A felony, three counts
• Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, level 4 felony

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law