It appears the case of a Salem man facing rape and human trafficking charges involving a low-functioning Jonesville woman will continue into next year in Washington (County) Superior Court.
For the third time in five months, an “off the record” hearing was conducted Wednesday by Judge Dustin L. Houchin regarding 66-year-old Jon A. Arnold, according to online records.
Arnold is charged with 12 counts of rape where 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 on all counts, Arnold could be sentenced to more than 200 years in prison.
Although court reporter Carla Loughmiller said she isn’t allowed to give details regarding off-the record hearings, online records were revised to show the trial date pushed back from Jan. 21 to June 17.
While Arnold has been free on bond since August, he is still obligated to show up this winter for a related, but separate case in Bartholomew Circuit Court. The defendant is charged with one count of rape where the victim is mentally disabled or deficient as a Level 3 felony, as well as human trafficking as a Level 4 felony.
Judge Kelly Benjamin has scheduled a change of plea hearing for 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 6. Arnold’s jury trial is tentatively set for 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 4.
Benjamin said last September she would likely not agree to more continuances because the case has been in her court for over a year. But while she has only granted a few delays in this case, Houchin has rescheduled the Washington County trial seven times, online records state.
The victim in both cases is a woman who gave birth to a child at Columbus Regional Hospital on July 6, 2023. Hospital officials contacted Adult Protective Services and said they believe the mother had the cognitive function of a toddler.
After detectives met with social workers and the hospital birthing staff, a neuropsychological evaluation helped medical personnel determine that the woman does not have the cognitive ability to consent to a sexual relationship.
The victim was living with three people in a Jonesville mobile home who are considered co-defendants with Arnold: Brandon A. Jacobs, 37; Christina Moffatt, 28; and Christopher Lovell, 42, according to court records. On April 27, Lovell was arrested for battering the pregnant woman, according to court records.
During a subsequent investigation, Lovell said he had witnessed Arnold engage in sexual acts with the victim, according to a probable cause affidavit. Lovell said the woman was taken to Salem many times as part of an arrangement where she would be made available to Arnold for $600 a month. During a 2016 appeals trial, Arnold testified he was either part-owner or sole owner of four different businesses.
Arnold told detectives the victim was brought to his home between 12 and 15 times between late 2022 and early 2023, and that he had sexual contact with her during each visit, the court document states.
Moffatt’s cellphone had multiple photos and videos of the woman engaging in sexual activity with Arnold and Jacobs, according to the affadavit. It also states Lovell admitted he also engaged in sexual activity with the victim multiple times.
Both Lovell and Jacobs are charged with rape when the victim is mentally disabled or deficient as a Level 3 felony, and the promotion of human sexual trafficking as a Level 4 felony. In addition, Lovell is facing a Level 5 felony for battery against the victim.
On April 7, both Lovell and Jacobs are scheduled for change of plea hearings. Both men also have a trial date tentatively set for May 6.
Moffatt has already accepted a plea deal. Last month, she was sentenced to served five years with the Indiana Department of Correction on a lesser charge of promoting prostitution as a Level 5 felony. Moffatt is facing the same charge in Washington County, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for Dec. 12.
