Putnam County—On Friday, March 8, 2013, the Putnam County Department of Child Services contacted the Putnamville Post of the Indiana State Police concerning child molesting allegations against a Cloverdale man. State police detectives immediately began an investigation which ultimately led to the arrest of the suspect during the early morning hours of March 9.

Arrested: Richard W. Stuart, age 21, of Cloverdale, Indiana
Charges: (3) counts of Child Molesting, Class A felony
Incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail with no bond

During the investigation, state police detectives were able to determine that over the last approximately six months at a residence in rural Putnam County, Stuart is alleged to have engaged in various sex acts with a five year-old female acquaintance.

The case was investigated by ISP Detectives First Sergeant Jeff Hearon and Detective John Goldner, ISP Crime Scene Investigator Sergeant Jim Cody, and the Putnam County Department of Child Services.

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.