Brazil man charged with sexual misconduct with a minor

Cody Felty

A 27-year-old Brazil man is facing a Level 4 felony charge over allegations he had sex with a 15-year-old in Putnam County.

Cody D. Felty is accused of engaging in intercourse with the girl on or about April 30 of this year.

Earlier this month, Putnam County Deputy Prosecutor Austin Malayer filed the Level 4 felony charge of sexual misconduct with a minor against Felty in Putnam Circuit Court.

Felty made his initial appearance before Judge Matt Headley last week, entering a not guilty plea. His bond was set at $50,000 cash only. As of Tuesday, he remained housed in the Putnam County Jail.

The alleged victim’s mother initially reported the incident to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, which forwarded the information to Indiana State Police Detective Ryan Winters.

In his investigation, Winters spoke to five different witnesses — three members of the victim’s family, Felty’s brother and a friend of the victim’s family — all of whom said they heard Felty confess to having sex with the girl.

Felty was even recorded by the victim’s mother without his knowledge, stating that such an incident happened “just once” in his truck.

However, Felty faces similar pending cases in Clay County.

In January 2021, he was charged in Clay Circuit Court with two counts of Level 4 felony sexual misconduct with a minor. That case is awaiting a September jury trial.

Additionally, in April 2021 he was charged in Clay Circuit Court with Level 5 felony child solicitation, Level 5 felony child exploitation, Level 6 felony possession of child pornography and Level 6 felony dissemination of matter harmful to minors.

The latter case also awaits a jury trial, though no date is currently on the calendar, according to online court records, since the cancelation of a March trial.