Donald Perry Crider

KOSCIUSKO — A West Lafayette male is facing charges after being caught in a compromising situation with an underage female. 

Donald Perry Crider, 19, 802 North CR 400W, West Lafayette, is being charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, a level 5 felony; and child pornography, a level 6 felony. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on April 28, 2018, an officer with the Silver Lake Police Department noticed a parked vehicle. The officer approached the vehicle and observed a male and female engaged in sexual intercourse. 

The officer alerted the two of his presence, at which time the individuals immediately put their clothing back on. The officer then asked for identification from both subjects. The male provided a driver’s license that identified him as Crider, born in 1999. The female stated she did not have identification. 

The officer was able to make contact with an individual who is familiar with the female. That individual advised that the female is a minor and that this person had not been aware that the female was with Crider. 

The officer confiscated the personal cell phones of both Crider and the female. After a search warrant was obtained, a search of Crider’s phone was conducted. The search of the phone showed multiple photos of the female in a state of nudity. 

The officer conducted an interview with the female in June. At that time, the female stated she had sent multiple pictures of herself in a state of nudity to Crider. She also stated that she and Crider had sexual intercourse on four other occasions prior to the incident on April 28. The female told the officer that Crider had instructed her not to discuss the relationship with anyone due to the age difference and that it was illegal in Indiana.  

Crider was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Aug. 17, on an $11,000 surety and cash bond.