WARSAW — A Cromwell man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for repeatedly molesting a minor female over a period of three years.

Earl Raymond Campbell

Earl Raymond Campbell, 48, 9766 E. Swallow Drive, Cromwell, pleaded guilty on Nov. 29, to child molestation, a level 1 felony. On Thursday, Dec. 20, Campbell appeared in Kosciusko Superior Court I in front of Judge David Cates and was represented by Matthew J. Buehler.

“This crime makes a lot of people angry,” said Brad Voelz, who prosecuted the case. “In this case, I’ve felt nothing but sadness. I was saddened when I read the pre-sentence investigation report and saw Mr. Campbell’s history.”

Voelz, as well as Buehler, indicated that Campbell had suffered abuse when he was younger. However, both men agreed Campbell’s childhood trauma did not excuse his behavior in this case. “How on earth can you do it to someone else?” asked Voelz. “If he would do this violence to this child, then no child is safe in his presence.”

An officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to a child molesting report on Aug. 2, taking a report from a minor female who said Campbell had been molesting her on Wednesdays, both having intercourse with her, touching her inappropriately and having her touch him inappropriately.

The girl told police the abuse had been going on for about three years and she reported that she didn’t like it and that she told Campbell to stop on multiple occasions.

The girl told police the last occurrence was on July 25.

When questioned by police, Campbell admitted to the crime but told officers it had only been going on over the past two months.

Campbell kept his eyes lowered during the entire hearing and was barely audible when addressing the court.

“I know I was wrong,” he said. “I have to live with that the rest of my life.”

Buehler reiterated Campbell’s past and reminded Cates about the defendant’s cooperation with law enforcement during the case. “Mr. Campbell’s had a rough way to go,” Buehler said.

Cates said he would take Campbell’s cooperation with police into account and acknowledged his troubled childhood but said it was still no excuse for the crime.

“I’m sorry that you’ve had your past,” said Cates before administering the sentence.

Campbell received 30 years with the Indiana Department of Corrections and was given 137 days of jail time credit. Campbell will also be registered as a sexually violent predator.