A Bremen man was arrested after allegedly having inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor.
Michael David Bollenbacher, 38, Bremen, is charged with two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, level 4 felonies.
He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 4:54 p.m. Thursday with no bond listed.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on April 17, 2024, a Warsaw Police Department officer spoke with someone who reported suspicious activity involving a minor. The minor was in a vehicle with a much older man and the person got the impression the relationship was romantic in nature rather than a family or friend.
Someone contacted someone else to find out if the minor was supposed to be dropped off by the man and that person stated they were unaware of the minor being dropped off by the man. The owner of the vehicle was identified as Bollenbacher.
On April 17, 2025, an officer spoke with a person who said Bollenbacher is not supposed to have contact with the minor. A cell phone was provided to law enforcement for examination. The initial review of the data located odd communication between the minor and Bollenbacher, but not necessarily criminal content, according to court records.
On April 28, 2025, a woman came into the WPD and asked for the department to again download the minor’s phone due her locating what she believed to be inappropriate messages between the minor and Bollenbacher on the phone. Officers located messages believed to be from Bollenbacher on April 28, 2025, in which the messages asked the minor to engage in an online game. Officers located the messages in the gaming app between April 27 and 28.
On Wednesday, the minor disclosed Bollenbacher engaged in sexual activities with them. The minor also said Bollenbacher provided illegal drugs and controlled substances.
On Thursday, the minor completed a forensics interview at the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. The minor said they knew Bollenbacher.
During winter 2024, the minor was 14 and was at a hotel. The minor said they woke up and Bollenbacher was holding the minor and they were in his bed. Bollenbacher touched the minor inappropriately.
The minor said on April 21 or 22, 2025, Bollenbacher was at the minor’s residence. In the morning Bollenbacher climbed into a bedroom window and sat on te floor while the minor got ready for school. The minor said on that day, Bollenbacher walked the minor halfway to school and then left.
Bollenbacher was convicted of neglect of a dependent and possession of methamphetamine on March 14, 2022, in Kosciusko County. He was also convicted of dealing methamphetamine on Dec. 19, 2009, in Elkhart County. He was convicted of burglary on July 25, 2006, in Kosciusko County. He was convicted of residential entry on Nov. 27, 2006, in Allen County.