WARSAW — A Claypool man was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I Thursday, Nov. 7, for molesting a girl under 14 years of age.

Justice Wayne Hughes, 18, 1396 West CR 800S, Claypool, pleaded guilty to child molesting, a level 4 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Aug. 9, an officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department received a tip regarding Hughes. When the officer went to a residence and knocked on the door, a man threw shoes and a backpack out of a window and then jumped out the window.

The officer detained the man and obtained his wallet in order to identify him. While looking through the wallet, the officer saw two empty condom wrappers. The man was identified as Hughes. 

Hughes admitted that there were alcoholic beverages in the backpack and that he was 18 years old. The officer arrested Hughes for illegal possession of alcohol.

Hughes further admitted that he and a minor female had intercourse that day and also in July.

The officer knocked on the front door of the residence again. A girl under the age of 14 came to the door with a towel wrapped around her. A caseworker with Indiana Department of Child Services later spoke with the girl. She said that Hughes had been having sexual intercourse with her since January and the last time was on Aug. 9, when the police arrived.

In court, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz told Judge David Cates the case was a difficult one given Hughes’ personal history and capabilities. 

“It does not appear that you have a criminal history,” Cates said. “But I have some concerns. It appears you have no job, no education and no plan.”

Cates sentenced Hughes to five years at the Indiana Department of Corrections. Three and a half years of the sentence was ordered to be suspended and served on formal probation. 

Cates ordered that Hughes obtain a GED or equivalent, register as a sex offender and go to the Bowen Center for an assessment and any recommended follow up. Hughes was given 455 days of jail time credit. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim.