Cloverdale man arrested for sexual misconduct

Friday, August 27, 2010

GREENCASTLE -- A Cloverdale man was taken into custody and booked into the Putnam County Jail late Thursday after being charged through Putnam County Circuit Court with Class B felony sexual misconduct with a minor.

David E. Nelson, 32, is accused of having sexual relations with a teenage girl on two occasions. An investigation into the alleged crime began in late July when representatives from the Putnam County Department of Child Services received a complaint about Nelson.

The alleged victim told authorities she met Nelson in early May through a mutual friend at church, court records said. The girl said at the beginning of their relationship she would call Nelson from her home phone and they would talk nearly every day, and that in June Nelson bought her a prepaid cell phone. The two then continued to talk and text daily, court records said.

The two alleged sexual encounters between Nelson and the victim both happened in June. The victim told authorities they did not use a condom on either occasion.

The victim said the sex was consensual both times, court records said.

On Aug. 2, the victim's mother took letters written to Nelson by her daughter and the prepaid cell phone with text messages between the two saved on it to police. By the time her mother discovered these items, the victim had already admitted to sneaking out of the house to have sex with Nelson.

When the victim's father found out about his daughter's relationship with Nelson, the two men met face-to-face, court documents said. The victim's father told Nelson he was not to call, text or speak to his daughter anymore.

Court documents said the victim's parents believed Nelson was 25 years old. The victim's father told police that "if he knew beforehand the true age of Mr. Nelson, he would have reported it."

Court documents also alleged that Nelson gave the victim $600. The victim told her mother Nelson had given her the money to keep quiet about their relationship; she later told police he had given her the money 'for an abortion if she was pregnant."

Nelson spoke with Indiana State Police Detective James Dungan on the telephone on Aug. 20. Nelson said he simply "knew of" the alleged victim.

On Aug. 24, Dungan received a report from another ISP detective who had been sending texts to Nelson on the prepaid phone Nelson had bought for the victim. Court documents said from the time police were given the phone up until Aug. 24 Nelson sent 13 text messages to the phone and had tried to call the phone several times.

"Approximately six text messages that Mr. Nelson sent made reference to him loving her," court documents said.

A warrant for Nelson's arrest was issued Thursday. His initial hearing has not been set.

Class B felonies are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.