Staff Report

WARSAW — A Warsaw man received a 10-year prison sentence Monday, June 20, for charges in two cases.

Justin Nathan Frazier, 25, Warsaw, pleaded guilty to child molesting, a level 4 felony; possession of child pornography, a level 6 felony; and battery, a class B misdemeanor. 

Justin Nathan Frazier

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Aug. 10, 2021, a Warsaw Police officer was dispatched in reference to a fight in progress.

Upon arrival, the officer exited her patrol vehicle and heard crying, yelling, and the sound of items being broken inside a residence.

Two young children ran out of the house screaming and crying.

When the officer knocked on the door, the latch popped open and she heard someone yell, “Get off me!”

The officer pushed the door open and saw Frazier, on top of another man.

The officer gave the two men verbal commands to stop, at which time Frazier left the residence, followed by the other man and two other children.

Frazier told police he was in his room when the other man accused him of being a child molester.

Police spoke with one of the children, who was visibly shaken. That child told police they witnessed Frazier and one of the other children “making out” in a bedroom at the residence. The child who witnessed this told the other man about the incident and said this is what led to a fight.

Officers spoke with the child who had reportedly been seen in a bedroom with Frazier. That child initially denied anything had happened but when asked why someone would say the incident occurred, the child appeared nervous and uncomfortable and eventually said they and Frazier had kissed one time, a week or two earlier. 

When police spoke with the other man involved in the fight, he said he and Frazier were arguing and he ordered all the kids out of Frazier’s bedroom.

Safe Harbor Advocacy Center completed a forensic interview with the child allegedly seen in the bedroom with Frazier. The child disclosed spending time alone with Frazier in a bedroom at the residence.

Frazier admitted to kissing the child on one occasion. He also admitted to having a flirtatious relationship with the child and said text messages they exchanged probably went too far. 

A forensic download of the data on Frazier’s phone was conducted, and law enforcement found several sexually provocative digital photographic images of the child on the phone. 

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joe Sobek spoke about Frazier’s criminal history and the fact that Frazier was on pretrial diversion at the time of this offense.

“I regret doing all of this,” Frazier said. “I’m going to become a better person and show people that I can be better.”

Superior Court 1 Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Frazier to nine years at the Indiana Department of Corrections for the charge of child molesting and 180 days for the battery charge. Those sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.

For the charge of possession of child pornography, Frazier was sentenced to two years at IDOC, with this sentence to be served consecutive to the sentence imposed in the other case. One year of this sentence was ordered suspended, to be served on formal probation. 

“I do very much hope that eventually, you show yourself, your family and this community that you can do better,” McGrath said.

Frazier will be required to register as a sex offender. A no-contact order was issued between Frazier and the victim.

He will also be required to complete a program placement evaluation and complete any recommended treatment.