Cloverdale man charged with molestation

A Cloverdale man has been charged with multiple counts of child molesting and sexual battery involving two young girls, Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter announced this week.

David Lee Hudson, 39, was arrested last week and charged with three class C felony counts of child molesting and two class D felony counts of sexual battery.

The alleged acts occurred at Hudson's home, 504 S. Lafayette St., Cloverdale, from Jan. 1, 2004 to Dec. 31, 2006, according to court documents.

The victims, who were ages 10 and 11 when the alleged acts occurred, told investigators they were molested by Hudson approximately 20-40 times over a period of several years and at varying locations, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Hudson had his initial court appearance in Putnam Circuit Court on Monday where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. The judge set his pretrial conference for April 12.

Hudson bonded out of jail on Feb. 12 after posting part of a $20,000 bond, according to jail records.

Upon filing the charges this week, the prosecutor said Hudson faces a maximum of 33 years in prison if he is convicted on all counts.

"It should always be remembered, with charges or allegations, that the defendant has the presumption of innocence," Bookwalter said.