Adrian Altamirano

WARSAW — A Winona Lake man may face deportation after being sentenced today, March 2 on charges of child molesting stemming from incidents that occurred last year.

Adrian M. Altamirano, 1202 Wooster Road, Winona Lake, was charged with two counts of sexual battery, level six felonies and identity deception, a level 6 felony. One count of child molesting was dropped per the plea agreement.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Altamirano’s charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 13, 2016, when an officer responded to a report of child molestation.

An officer met with a woman who advised that a minor had been staying the night at a residence Altamirano was at. The victim stated that as she had been on a couch, next to another minor who was sleeping on the floor, Altamirano came into the room, laid on top of the victim, kissed her and would not let her get up.

The minor who the victim had stayed with, confirmed she knew the victim was telling the truth because Altamirano had done those same things to her on a different occasion.

During the investigation of the incidents, another minor came forward stating when she had stayed the night at Altimarano’s home she had been molested. The victim stated she had been on the couch in a room with others sleeping on the floor. Altimarano came into the room and assaulted the victim.

Altimarano was also charged with identity deception when he gave officials false identification. When officers asked for his identification, he gave them a driver’s license for Adrian Antunes Cervantes. He told officials that was his name. Eventually, Altamirano admitted that was not his name and that he had gotten the identification from his brother in Mexico.

Judge David Cates began the sentencing by telling Altamirano that he may face deportation as a result of the plea agreement and asked if he would like to continue with the proceedings. Through a language interpreter, Altamirano agreed that he would like to continue.

During the short sentencing, Altimarano’s lawyer Jay Rigdon argued these were isolated incidents for Altamirano.

Rigdon stated that these incidents were, “Aggravated by alcohol use.” He stated that all of Altamirano’s prior criminal history stemmed from alcohol use. Rigdon noted Altimarano had apologized for his actions.

Altimarano declined to comment during the sentencing.

Cates sentenced Altimarano to four years at the Indiana Department of Corrections. Altimarano is to have no contact with the victims. He is to receive 232 days of credit for jail time already served.