A 32-year-old Richmond man is behind bars on a preliminary felony sexual battery charge after police say they wrapped up a monthlong investigation into a report that an adult woman was inappropriately touched.
Richmond police said the case started in mid-March when the woman came forward. Detectives investigated, located the suspect and arrested him on Thursday. He was booked into the Wayne County Jail while prosecutors review the file and decide whether to move ahead with formal charges.
Investigation and arrest
According to WTHR, Richmond Police opened the investigation after a March 19 report of inappropriate touching. Detectives then tracked down the suspect and arrested him yesterday.
Police identified him as a 32-year-old Richmond resident and classified the allegation as a preliminary felony sexual battery case. Chief Kyle Weatherly told the outlet that the community “refuses to tolerate this kind of behavior,” a comment that underscored the department’s stance as it sent its investigative findings to the Wayne County prosecutor for review.
Court records and prior case
Public dockets on the Indiana courts portal show that the same man was involved in a separate sexual battery case filed in May 2025. Records indicate he entered a guilty plea under a plea agreement in July 2025.
Those online records list a September 2025 sentence of 300 days in the Wayne County Jail, with credit for 75 days already served, along with an order requiring sex offender registration, according to Indiana MyCase. The statewide system provides registers of action and sentencing entries, although some underlying documents can be sealed or accessible only through the clerk’s office.
Legal implications and next steps
Richmond Police have now turned their latest case findings over to the Wayne County prosecutor, who will decide whether to file formal felony charges, as reported by WTHR. If prosecutors move forward, the matter would proceed in circuit court, where a sexual battery conviction can bring state-mandated penalties and registration requirements.
The Richmond Police Department has asked anyone with information related to the case to contact investigators. The Wayne County prosecutor’s office will be the official source for any charging documents and upcoming court dates.
