Spencer man, 19, charged with sex crimes at state park

SPENCER -- A 19-year-old rural Owen County man has been arrested on four sex-related charges concerning alleged improper contact with an 11-year-old girl at an Indiana state park.

The arrest of Charles "Chip" May by Indiana Conservation Officers Monday marked the culmination of a four-month investigation conducted by Conservation Officer Dale Clark.

The investigation started in late October 2011 after Officer Clark received a complaint from the parents of a girl who had been on a horse trail ride guided by May at McCormick's Creek State Park near Spencer.

May allegedly exposed himself more than once to the girl while on the wooded trail, the complaint states.

May is employed by his father, Rich May, who has contracts with several DNR State Park properties, including Lieber, Turkey Run and Shakamak in addition to McCormick's Creek.

After reviewing the case, Owen County's Chief Deputy Prosecutor Robert Andre' formally charged the younger May with one Class D felony of performing sexual conduct in the presence of a minor, along with two Class A misdemeanors of public indecency and one Class B misdemeanor of public nudity.

The suspect's primary position is to guide trail rides at McCormick's Creek, however he could have worked at any of the other previously mentioned DNR properties, investigators said.

Since the onset of the investigation May has been prohibited from being on any property owned or leased by the DNR.

Conservation Officers are asking for anyone with information regarding this case or other incidents that may have occurred to call their office at (812) 837-9536 and ask to speak with Officer Clark.