A Bloomington man is facing a high-level child molestation charge for allegedly abusing a relative.
Kashawn Keeanton Wilson, 23, is charged with child molesting as a Level 1 felony. A Level 1 felony is the highest possible charge a person can be charged with other than murder.
The Greenwood Police Department began investigating Wilson in June after they were notified by Martinsville police about a possible sexual abuse incident that was reported to them. The incident took place in Greenwood, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Johnson County Circuit Court on July 27.
Martinsville police had responded to a fight between two men at a fireworks stand. The man being attacked, later identified as Wilson, was suspected of sexually abusing a relative. A witness who was later contacted by Greenwood detectives said that a juvenile had told them that Wilson had allegedly touched them inappropriately, and left marks on their skin, according to the affidavit.
When detectives interviewed the juvenile in July, the juvenile said Wilson had allegedly touched them inappropriately while another young family member was nearby. The juvenile told investigators they asked for Wilson to stop. Wilson reportedly did not say anything during the incident, but did ask the juvenile to not tell a relative about what happened. The juvenile did eventually tell a relative about what happened, and then other relatives beat him up, the affidavit shows.
Another witness told detectives in July that Wilson had left the area and was possibly staying at a homeless shelter in Fort Wayne. The witness said Wilson was on the run because he was facing charges in Bloomington, according to the affidavit.
Online court records show that Wilson was charged in Monroe County, where Bloomington is the county seat, with battery resulting in bodily injury and criminal mischief in March. A warrant was issued for his arrest in the case on Aug. 16, and was served on Sept. 14.
The affidavit indicates Greenwood detectives tried to contact Wilson several times but he did not respond before charges were filed.
Detectives were also provided copies of text messages between Wilson and a witness where they discussed the allegations. Wilson initially denied the sexual abuse allegations, but later admitted to them, saying he didn’t mean to do it and that he was sorry.
“I wasn’t in my right mind,” Wilson reportedly said in a message.
Wilson also reportedly said he knew he was “wrong for it” and that he was “not proud or happy about it either,” according to the affidavit.
A warrant was issued for Wilson’s arrest in the Johnson County case on July 27. It was served on Monday.
Non-emergency help dealing with sexual assault resources is available at Franklin-based ASSIST Indiana at 317-739-4456. For a complete list of resources from the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking, visit icesaht.org/get-help/. For emergency help dealing with sexual assault call or text 911 to report the crime.