Missing juvenile leads to felony sex charges against Indiana man, search for more victims

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Police in Southern Indiana are investigating a man with a long list of felony sex charges against him- and unfortunately, they believe there could be more victims.

Jonathan Lee Rodewig Jr. has been charged with multiple counts, including rape, child exploitation, and promotion of child sexual trafficking, according to the Charlestown Police Department. The case began in late August when officers responded to a report of a missing juvenile from a Charlestown home.

The investigation took an unexpected turn when the missing juvenile arrived at the police department in a vehicle driven by Rodewig. During that encounter, officers said they smelled marijuana and found evidence of drugs in the vehicle, leading to Rodewig's initial arrest on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and marijuana possession.

But detectives say that was just the beginning. As they dug deeper into the case, they uncovered evidence pointing to more serious crimes. Search warrants executed during the investigation reportedly revealed sexually explicit communications and videos involving the juvenile victim.

The charges Rodewig now faces are significant: six counts of Level 3 felony rape, promotion of child sexual trafficking, child exploitation, possession of child sexual abuse material, and several misdemeanor offenses. He's currently being held in Floyd County on similar charges in separate, unrelated cases.

Detective Sergeant Trey A. Crace, who submitted the probable cause affidavit to the Clark County Prosecutor's Office, emphasized the broader implications of the case. "This case demonstrates the ongoing dangers posed by online exploitation and the importance of swift reporting and cooperation between families, law enforcement, and our partner agencies," he said.

Authorities are concerned there may be additional victims who haven't yet come forward, and they're urging anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Rodewig to contact their local law enforcement agency.

The case serves as a reminder for parents to stay vigilant about their children's online activities. The Charlestown Police Department is encouraging anyone who suspects exploitation to report it to law enforcement immediately.

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