Bozell
Bozell
A Columbus man accused of sexually molesting a 10-year-old girl is facing a potential sentence of possibly 78 years in prison.
David R. Bozell, 38, is charged with one count of child molesting as a Level 1 felony, three counts of molesting a child under 13 as Level 4 felonies, and dissemination of matter harmful to minors as a Level 6 felony.
During a court hearing Monday, Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton scheduled a change of plea or pre-trial-conference for 10:15 a.m. on Nov. 18. A tentative trial date was set for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 17.
Police were sent out to a call reporting possible sexual misconduct at a home in the Forest Park subdivision on Aug. 31, 2023. After arriving, Columbus police talked with a mother who said her 10-year-old daughter had been molested by Bozell, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The defendant had been staying at the victim’s home for less than a month, but the mother described him as a longtime friend with whom she was never romantically involved, the affidavit stated.
According to the court document, both Bozell and the 10-year-old girl had bedrooms in the basement. When the child was interviewed, she said Bozell had molested her three days-in-a-row leading up to Aug. 31, 2023, the affidavit states. She also said the defendant told her not to tell anyone about the molestations, according to court documents.
The alleged victim also said Bozell had shown her adult videos and adult toys on his cellphone, as well as pornographic photos that included himself unclothed, according to court documents.
When his cellphone was taken for evidence, investigators found multiple pictures of Bozell exposing himself, according to court documents. There were also several searches for pornography dealing with daughters and father figures.
Bozell is already in prison for a June 4 conviction of possession of methamphetamine in Dubois County, so there is no bond.
In Bartholomew County, he has been on probation for a number of crimes that include identity deception, auto theft and driving while suspended. While he had received a number of suspended sentences, an extensive list of probation revocations has the potential to keep Bozell behind bars for the rest of his life.
