Staff Report

Joshua William Julian

COLUMBIA CITY — A Columbia City man was recently arrested for allegedly molesting a child.

Joshua William Julian, 31, 1975 E. Keiser Road, Columbia City, is charged with child molesting, a level 1 felony; and three counts of child molesting, all level 4 felonies.

On Feb. 3, Whitley County Sheriff’s officers conducted an interview with a child who said they had been inappropriately touched by Julian. The child said they had stayed overnight at Julian’s home during a weekend in 2017.

According to court documents, the child said Julian asked them to sit on a couch when Julian inappropriately touched them. The child also said Julian made them inappropriately touch and kiss him.

The two then took a shower together. Julian told the child to keep what happened a secret and not to tell anybody. In the middle of the night, Julian also woke the child up and engaged in a sexual act.

The child said they told a relative what happened and that they didn’t want to go back to Julian’s home because of what occurred.

On March 18, officers interviewed Julian about the molestation. While discussing what the child disclosed, Julian said the incidents never happened and denied that the child ever stayed overnight at the home. A relative of Julian’s also said the child never stayed overnight at the home.

Julian was booked in the Whitley County Jail on June 29, with a $300,000 surety bond.