Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A North Webster man will serve four years in jail for engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with a teenager and possessing drugs.
Juan Carlos Acuahuitl, 24, of 8410 E. Sumac Lane, North Webster, was sentenced for sexual misconduct with a minor and possession of cocaine, both level 6 felonies.
Acuahuitl was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Thursday, June 4.
For sexual misconduct with a minor, Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Acuahuitl to 2-1/2 years in the Kosciusko County Jail. This is the maximum sentence allowed for a level 6 felony. Acuahuitl also received a 1-1/2-year sentence for cocaine possession, with the sentence suspended on probation. Both of Acuahuitl’s sentences will be served back-to-back.
In total, Acuahuitl received a four-year KCJ sentence, with 2-1/2 years executed and 1-1/2 years suspended.
Acuahuitl has 170 days of jail time credit.
The victim in Acuahuitl’s sexual misconduct case attended the sentencing and provided a statement to the court.
“I’ve come to terms with what happened to me … this has forever changed my perspective on the world,” said the victim. “My way of thinking has changed, and I’ve struggled with understanding what happened.”
The victim described how Acuahuitl’s actions resulted in them changing their physical appearance, including the type of clothing they wore and dyeing their hair.
“I was disgusted with myself and didn’t want anyone to look at me,” said the victim. “Juan Carlos took my dignity, my trust, my happiness, all in one. He truly made me hit rock bottom.”
They also recalled how a relative of Acuahuitl’s had called them a liar, and that Acuahuitl had apologized to their mother, but not to them.
“This left a very negative impact on me, but I won’t let this dictate my life,” said the victim.
The victim concluded their statement by reflecting on their future and summarizing therapy sessions, which led to them being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. They said that while they recently graduated high school, they had to work even harder to succeed academically because of what happened to them.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek commended the victim for providing their statement to the court.
“This is a string of criminal conduct, and it needs to stop,” said Sobek about Acuahuitl. “This needs to be the beginning and end of it.”
Defense Attorney John Barrett said the sexual misconduct case was Acuahuitl’s first criminal act, noting that Acuahuitl had no criminal history prior to that case. Letters written by Acuahuitl and a jail minister were also submitted as evidence to the court.
“You victimized an amazing, young person who can come into a room of strangers and tell their story,” said McGrath. “They have a remarkable family who got them the help they needed. No human being has the right to exact this treatment on another human being.”
McGrath said the nature, depravity and extent of the offense led to her giving the maximum sentence on the sexual misconduct case. Acuahuitl said he would be seeking an appeal on the sentence he received.
Affidavits Of Probable Cause
On April 21, 2025, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a Department of Child Services caseworker about sexual misconduct. A child said they attended a gathering on Dec. 31, 2023, and that they laid down to rest.
According to court documents, the child said at some point, Acuahuitl laid next to them and inappropriately touched them.
In an interview in May 2025, Acuahuitl admitted to having his arm around the child but said he was hugging them and squeezed their shoulder. He also said he had the urge to kiss them but that he realized he was doing something wrong when he saw the look on the child’s face.
On Nov. 30, 2025, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop north of Pierceton, identifying Acuahuitl as the vehicle’s driver.
In a search of Acuahuitl’s vehicle, officers found a bag containing cocaine.
