Syracuse Man Sentenced To Three Years For Child Molesting
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KOSCIUSKO — A Syracuse man was sentenced to three years at the Indiana Department of Corrections after confessing to molesting three children under the age of 10.
Ronald Dewayne Hensley, 55, 5251 E. CR 800N, Syracuse, was charged with child molesting, a level 4 felony.
On Jan. 2, an officer with the Indiana State Police went to the North Webster Police Department in regards to a child molesting. At the department, Hensley told the officer he wanted to confess to child molesting.
According to court documents, Hensley told the officer he inappropriately touched a child when she was 9 years old. He said this occurred sometime in 2012 and happened about 12 times. The victim was interviewed by an employee of the Child and Family Advocacy Center. She confirmed that Hensley touched her inappropriately.
Hensley also said that approximately 16 years ago, he inappropriately touched two other children who were between the ages of 6 and 8 years old at the time.
“Mr. Hensley came to the police of his own free will to report this,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz. “He’s been living with this guilt and I think he had to just purge his soul.”
Defense Attorney Jay Rigdon said Hensley has been undergoing therapy.
“He has a lot of great support systems in place,” said Rigdon. “If possible, we would like the court to structure a sentence that will allow Mr. Hensley to continue these support mechanisms during his incarceration.”
“I would like to apologize to my wife and my family for my actions,” said Hensley.
Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge David Cates sentenced Hensley to five years at DOC for the child molesting charge. Two years of the sentence was suspended on formal probation.
“You have no criminal history, and you take full responsibility for your actions,” said Cates. “But frankly, you molested a child. That is going to have a huge effect on that child for the rest of her life.”
A no contact order was established between Hensley and the victim.