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Accused child molester extradited from Florida jail
A former Putnam County man wanted on a September 2011 warrant for child molestation has been returned to Indiana by Florida authorities.
William S. Branson Jr., 40, Lake Butler, Fla., formerly of rural Greencastle, faces four Class A felony charges of child molesting and one Class C felony charge of child molesting.
The alleged incidents took place between December 2010 and Sept. 19, 2011, when the victim was 11 and 12 years old.
Authorities from the Putnam County Department of Child Services, Indiana State Police and Bainbridge Police Department all took part in the investigation in 2011, with a warrant ultimately issued for Branson's arrest.
Branson, however, was not located despite searches of two locations in rural Putnam County.
He apparently fled to Florida, where he had been in jail in the city of Lake Butler since Dec. 4, 2011. It is unclear what charges Butler was facing.
In the Indiana child molesting case, alleged incidents included fondling of the girl's breasts and genitals, oral sex performed on the child and vaginal penetration with his finger.
Three distinct incidents are alleged.
In her interview with investigators, the girl also accused Branson of unwanted sexual advances and conversations, the viewing of a movie of sexual nature with the girl and even forcing her to smoke marijuana.
Branson was brought to the Putnam County Jail by Prisoner Transport Services of America and booked in at 6 p.m. on Thursday. No court date had been set as of Friday afternoon.
Although it is unclear what charges Branson was facing in Florida, he has an extensive criminal history in that state, having served three separate sentences with the Florida Department of Correction for crimes including grand theft, presenting forged documents and burglary.