Warsaw Man Facing Child Molesting Charges

May 13, 2022 at 1:57 a.m.
Warsaw Man Facing Child Molesting Charges
Warsaw Man Facing Child Molesting Charges

By Jackie Gorski-

A Warsaw man was arrested on child molestation charges after allegedly molesting two children under the age of 14.

John Jeremy Sutherlin, 31, of 1570 Loher Lane, Warsaw, is charged with two counts of child molesting, Level 1 felonies; and two counts of child molesting, Level 4 felonies.

He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 3:08 p.m. Wednesday on a $150,250 preliminary bond.

According to the probable cause affidavit, on July 9, 2021, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a report of child molestation. The deputy was informed two children said they had been molested by Sutherlin.

On July 13, 2021, the first child was interviewed at Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. She said she was touched inappropriately by Sutherlin in groin area. She said Sutherlin called the inappropriate touching “touching games” and it happened more than 10 times.

The first child described an incident between June and July 2020 where Sutherlin penetrated her and told her not to tell any one. The first child said she was scared of Sutherlin.

On July 13, 2021, the second child was interviewed at Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. The second child said she was touched inappropriately by Sutherlin. She also described an incident where Sutherlin touched her with his genitals.

Investigators determined the alleged occurrences of molestation of the first child occurred between 2015 and 2021 and the molestation of the second child happened between 2020 and 2021, according to court documents.

On Aug. 18, 2021, a deputy read Sutherlin his Miranda rights and he agreed to speak with law enforcement. He denied inappropriately touching both children and agreed to a polygraph examination.

On Oct. 15, 2021, Sutherlin waived his Miranda rights and agreed to a polygraph examination with an Indiana State Police trooper. At the end of the examination, it was determined by the trooper that Sutherlin was being deceptive while answering questions about inappropriately touching the two children, according to court documents. Sutherlin continued to deny the allegations.

In the post-examination interview, Sutherlin said there was one time six years ago he was laying naked in bed when the first child jumped under the covers with him. Sutherlin noted his genitals could have touched her groin area during that event, according to court documents.

Sutherlin was on a pretrial release for a case regarding theft of a motor vehicle in Kosciusko Superior Court III. That case is set for pretrial conference on Monday.

Sutherlin has prior misdemeanor convictions for resisting law enforcement, theft, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and reckless driving.

A Warsaw man was arrested on child molestation charges after allegedly molesting two children under the age of 14.

John Jeremy Sutherlin, 31, of 1570 Loher Lane, Warsaw, is charged with two counts of child molesting, Level 1 felonies; and two counts of child molesting, Level 4 felonies.

He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 3:08 p.m. Wednesday on a $150,250 preliminary bond.

According to the probable cause affidavit, on July 9, 2021, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a report of child molestation. The deputy was informed two children said they had been molested by Sutherlin.

On July 13, 2021, the first child was interviewed at Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. She said she was touched inappropriately by Sutherlin in groin area. She said Sutherlin called the inappropriate touching “touching games” and it happened more than 10 times.

The first child described an incident between June and July 2020 where Sutherlin penetrated her and told her not to tell any one. The first child said she was scared of Sutherlin.

On July 13, 2021, the second child was interviewed at Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. The second child said she was touched inappropriately by Sutherlin. She also described an incident where Sutherlin touched her with his genitals.

Investigators determined the alleged occurrences of molestation of the first child occurred between 2015 and 2021 and the molestation of the second child happened between 2020 and 2021, according to court documents.

On Aug. 18, 2021, a deputy read Sutherlin his Miranda rights and he agreed to speak with law enforcement. He denied inappropriately touching both children and agreed to a polygraph examination.

On Oct. 15, 2021, Sutherlin waived his Miranda rights and agreed to a polygraph examination with an Indiana State Police trooper. At the end of the examination, it was determined by the trooper that Sutherlin was being deceptive while answering questions about inappropriately touching the two children, according to court documents. Sutherlin continued to deny the allegations.

In the post-examination interview, Sutherlin said there was one time six years ago he was laying naked in bed when the first child jumped under the covers with him. Sutherlin noted his genitals could have touched her groin area during that event, according to court documents.

Sutherlin was on a pretrial release for a case regarding theft of a motor vehicle in Kosciusko Superior Court III. That case is set for pretrial conference on Monday.

Sutherlin has prior misdemeanor convictions for resisting law enforcement, theft, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and reckless driving.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Wawasee School Board Approves 2025 Budget, Bus Replacement Plan
SYRACUSE – The Wawasee School Board of Trustees had a financially-heavy agenda at its regular October board meeting, held Tuesday.

Power Line Lowering Project Soon Start Soon
Construction work should be starting soon on the power line lowering project at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.

Community Arts Program Presenting A Free Concert On Saturday
WINONA LAKE – Community Arts Program Vocal Vision (founded as the Warsaw Community Choir) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this season.

Dekko Grants Support Eight Youth-Serving Organizations’ Work
KENDALLVILLE — The Dekko Foundation, a private family foundation located in Kendallville with a mission of fostering economic freedom through education, awarded more than $566,000 in grants and pledges to eight youth-serving organizations during its most recent round of grantmaking.

Saemann Foundation Awards Cardinal Services $8,000
Cardinal Services has received an $8,000 grant from the Franklin I. & Irene List Saemann Foundation for the purchase of surveillance equipment for the Kosciusko Area Bus Service.