Parolee Back in Custody on Charges of Criminal Confinement, Battery, Rape

A Starke County man was arrested, after police were called to assist state parole officers Friday. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were told that a woman claimed she’d been held captive and battered by Tracy Kell, 42, who was on parole. Deputies say that during the investigation, they found evidence that led to Kell’s arrest.

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Initial Hearing Held in Starke Circuit Court for Plymouth Teen Facing Multiple Felony Charges

A Plymouth man accused of rape, sexual misconduct with a minor, and child exploitation appeared in Starke Circuit Court Friday.

Court documents say that Thomas D. Holloway, who was 18 at the time, apparently took a group of juveniles to a residence in Starke County near Culver, on or around July 3, 2017.

There, he allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old while she was “unaware that the sexual intercourse was occurring”, according to criminal information provided by Starke County Circuit Court. The minor was reportedly intoxicated at the time. Holloway is also accused of taking a picture and videos of the victim during the alleged incident. Continue reading

Court Process Protections Developed for Rape Victims Under Bill

State Senator Ed Charbonneau
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

State Senator Ed Charbonneau is sponsoring a bill designed to give protections to rape victims in the state of Indiana.

The bill, House Enrolled Act 1064, is designed to develop a process whereby rape victims may file a petition in the courts to end the parental relationship between an alleged rapist and a child conceived as the result of a violent sexual act.
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Brett Kersey Arrested After Sexual Assault Investigation

Brett Kersey faces several charges, including rape.

An investigation into a call received by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department regarding a sexual assault turned up enough evidence to arrest Brett Kersey for several charges including rape. At about 4 p.m. on July 28, the SCSD was informed that a victim of sexual assault was at I.U. Health Starke Hospital, and an investigation returned enough information for a search warrant to be granted for the residence of 0440 N. 700 E. in Knox.

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