A Washington County suspect accused of multiple counts of rape and one county of human trafficking has been allowed to post bond.
Jon A. Arnold, 66, of Salem drove himself to Columbus this week to attend what was scheduled as a change of plea hearing before Bartholomew Circuit Judge Kelly Benjamin. Locally, he’s facing one count of rape when the victim is mentally disabled or deficient as a Level 3 felony, as well as human trafficking as a Level 4 felony
But at the request of both the defense and prosecution, Benjamin agreed to reschedule all hearing dates until early next year.
In Washington Superior Court, Arnold is facing 12 counts of rape when the victim is mentally disabled or deficient as Level 3 felonies, as well as one count of human trafficking as a Level 4 felony. If found guilty of all felony counts, Arnold could be sentenced to more than 200 years in prison.
“These are some pretty serious charges,” Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller said.
Washington Circuit Judge Larry Medlock set Arnold’s bond at $60,000 after Arnold’s Oct. 5, 2023 initial hearing, and the defendant was released.
When Arnold was again arrested Feb. 23 on charges related to illegal business activities involving timber, his bond was revoked, Miller said. All of his cases were moved from Medlock’s jurisdiction to the courtroom of Washington Superior Judge Dustin L. Houchin.
Houchin decided the rape and human trafficking case would be put on hold until after the timber dealing case was resolved.
On Aug. 30, a jury found Arnold not guilty of two felony counts of being an unregistered timber buyer, as well as two related misdemeanor charges. After the verdict was read, Arnold was released from jail on a $300,000 bond, Miller said. Half of the bail money was paid in cash, while the remainder was posted as a property bond, the sheriff said.
Court records indicate Washington County prosecutor Tara Coats Hunt had filed a motion asking for a higher bond, but Houchin denied her request.
The charges in both Bartholomew and Washington counties involve the same woman who has been diagnosed as having the mental capability of a toddler.
The victim was transported to Salem multiple times in an alleged $600 a month arrangement with Arnold. A probable cause affidavit states the woman was made available to Arnold on a regular basis for sexual purposes by co-defendants Christina L. Moffatt, 28; Christopher S. Lovell, 42; and Brandon A. Jacobs, 38. The three co-defendants shared a house in Jonesville with the victim.
During this week’s hearing in Bartholomew Circuit Court, defense attorney Kathie Ann Perry said she needs a continuance for taking sworn witness statements that are different from those taken for the co-defendants. Deputy prosecutor Mathew Taylor said he also needs additional time to have Arnold examined by a psychologist.
After noting the case has been on the court calendar for over a year, Benjamin agreed to schedule a new pre-trial conference or change of plea hearing for 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 6, as well as a tentative trial date of Feb. 4. But the judge indicated this will likely be the last continuance she’ll approve in the case.
Arnold’s next court appearance in Washington County is a pretrial conference scheduled at 1:15 p.m. on Sept. 30. But his trial isn’t set to begin until Jan. 21.
