Additional Charges for Missouri Man Arrested in Lawrence Co. for Child Molesting

Lawrence Co. - More charges have been filed against a Missouri man arrested in March for child molesting.

As the investigation of Gary E. Jones, a 70-year-old Elsberry, Missouri man who was arrested in March 2022 for one count of Child Molesting continues. Indiana State Police Bloomington District Detective Allen Deel was able to submit a second probable cause affidavit requesting additional charges through Lawrence County. The Honorable Judge John Plummer III from Lawrence County Superior court found probable cause to issue a second warrant for the following additional charges,

Child Molesting, a Level 1 Felony (11 Counts)
Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony (3 Counts)
Rape, a Level 3 Felony (3 Counts)
Strangulation, a Level 6 Felony (3 Counts)

Jones was already in the custody of the Lawrence County Jail upon being charged with the additional charges from Detective Deel. The original news release from March can be found below.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


The initial news release:


Missouri Man Arrested for Child Molesting

Lawrence County - On Saturday, March 26, 2022, Detective Allen Deel with the Indiana State Police Bloomington District Field Investigations, executed an arrest warrant for a Missouri resident who staying with family in Lawrence County on the charges of Child Molesting.

The investigation by Detective Deel began in February 2022, when he was made aware of allegations made by a 13-year-old victim. The investigation led to Detective Deel submitting a probable cause affidavit to Lawrence County Superior Court I on Saturday morning. Honorable Judge John Plummer found probable cause to issue an arrest warrant for Gary E. Jones, 70 years old, who was arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail on the following charge,

Child Molesting, Level 1 Felony
Detective Deel was assisted by Trooper Ben Burris and representatives from the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office and the Indiana Department of Child Services.