Brazil man arrested for sexual misconduct with a minor

Thursday, December 5, 2019
Justin Gardner

A Brazil man is lodged at the Putnam County Jail on accusations that he sexually abused a 14-year-old female.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of 21-year-old Justin Gardner last week. On Wednesday, Indiana State Police Senior Trooper Det. Jason Schoffstall took him into custody in Brazil.

Booked in the Putnam County Jail at 3:41 p.m., Gardner has been formally charged in Putnam Superior Court with three Level 4 felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Indiana State Police began their investigation last month after receiving information that the 14-year-old had been sexually abused.

ISP detectives conducted their investigation in conjunction with the Putnam County Department of Child Services before turning the case over to the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office, which filed charges on Nov. 28.