Bond for alleged molester set at $30,000

Nelson

GREENCASTLE -- A Cloverdale man accused of having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl remained in the Putnam County Jail Tuesday in lieu of a $30,000 cash-only bond.

David E. Nelson, 32, is charged with Class B felony sexual misconduct with a minor. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

Nelson was arrested Aug. 26 by officers from the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force. He was taken into custody at the U.S. Federal Prison in Terre Haute, where he worked.

After the arrest, Nelson was transferred into the custody of Indiana State Police troopers and detectives from the Putnamville Post of the ISP.

Nelson is set for an Oct. 14 pretrial conference, but that date could be changed.

Court records said Nelson and his alleged victim had sex on two occasions. Both incidents are alleged to have occurred in June, and the alleged victim told police the sex was consensual and that she and Nelson did not use a condom either time.

Indiana State Police Detective James Dungan began an investigation on Aug. 2 at the request of the Putnam County Department of Child Services. Representatives from the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office also assisted with the investigation.

The alleged victim told authorities she had known Nelson since early May, and that she met him at church, court records said. She said she and Nelson would speak by phone at the beginning of their relationship, and that Nelson eventually purchased a prepaid cell phone for her.

The alleged victim said she and Nelson spoke by phone and sent each other text messages on a daily basis.

The alleged victim's mother took letters written to Nelson by her daughter and the cell phone Nelson purchased to police as soon as she discovered them, according to court records.

The alleged victim's mother also found nearly $600 in cash in her daughter's bedroom. Court records said the alleged victim told her mother Nelson had given her the money to keep quiet about their relationship, but that she later told police he had given her the money "for an abortion if she was pregnant."