Zollman
A Franklin man is accused of molesting and soliciting sex from a teenager and possessing nude images of the teen.
Alexander Drake Zollman, 25, is charged with two counts of child molesting as a Level 4 felony, one count of child solicitation as a Level 5 felony, and two counts of possession of child pornography, a Level 6 felony. All of the incidents are believed to have occurred earlier this year, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Monday in Johnson Superior Court 3.
Franklin Police first began investigating after a woman called and reported text messages she found on Zollman’s phone. The woman alleged that Zollman was having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old, according to the affidavit.
Messages between Zollman and the teen allegedly started out “normally” before the conversation became more sexual. There were several conversations about sexual acts, the affidavit says.
Zollman allegedly asked for nude photos and referred to the teen as “beautiful,” “mature” and “straight-up sexy.” Other messages were more explicit, the affidavit shows.
The teen told police that Zollman had also touched them inappropriately two times as well. They said Zollman had allegedly forced them and threatened to hurt them if they told anyone or yelled, the affidavit shows.
When investigators spoke with Zollman, he initially denied committing the acts. After being shown messages and screenshots, he reportedly admitted to sending the messages and requesting photos from the teen, according to the affidavit.
He also allegedly admitted to inappropriately touching the teen, as well as possessing the nude photo and video, the affidavit shows.
Zollman reportedly told police he knew what he did was wrong and illegal, also saying that he should go to prison. He also wrote an apology to the teen, according to the affidavit.
An initial hearing has not yet been set in the case.
Zollman has a previous conviction for domestic battery and has another pending case of domestic battery with bodily injury on a person under 14 years of age, a Level 5 felony. That case involves a different juvenile, however, court documents show.
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.
