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Child molestor gets 40-year sentence
While a plea agreement reduced the number of charges against a Greencastle man, it did little reduce the length of time he’ll spend incarcerated.
In exchange for agreeing to plead guilty to Level 1 felony child molesting, 31-year-old Jonathan Maw saw the other three charges against him dropped. These included another Level 1 felony child molesting count, as well as Level 4 felony child molesting-fondling or touching a child under 14 and Level 6 felony dissemination of matter harmful to minors.
Even with just one charge against him, Judge Denny Bridges still handed down the maximum sentence for a Level 1 felony, which is 40 years. Of that, 20 is to be executed with another 20 on probation.
Even with good behavior, that’s a 15-year commitment to prison and another 15 on probation.
Additionally, Maw will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
While Maw’s initial court appearance following his March arrest was an emotional one as Maw grappled with the seriousness of the charges, Friday was a simple, short affair.
No witnesses were called and neither attorney made much in the way of arguments.
For his part, Maw simply apologized for what he had done.
An Indiana State Police investigation began in December after the victim, who was under 14 years old, saw a presentation on physical and sexual abuse at school. At that time, according to court documents, she realized she was a victim of sexual abuse and told the faculty.
The girl advised investigators that Maw had been molesting her for about two years, as well as showing her pornography.
Court records note that Maw’s wife even told investigators that he does not deny the allegations anymore and that he is “sick” and has “voices in his head.”
During Maw’s March hearing, one of his main objections was to having to remain in jail, where he couldn’t deal with his psychiatric issues.
“I’ve been in therapy for this kind of thing and I’m on medicine,” Maw said. “I’d like to be back in my routine.”
Records further reported that on March 14, Maw called ISP Det. Jason Schoffstall, telling the investigator he would not take a polygraph test because “it was not in his best interest and it would not exonerate him.”
Prior to this case, Maw’s criminal record included a pair of domestic battery incidents.