Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, June 26, 2018
(PAOLI) - Orange County Prosecutor Kelly Minton began presenting evidence today in the jury trial of a West Baden Springs man who is accused of rape and other sexual misconduct involving two teenage girls.
28-year-old Duran Dent is facing a charge of rape when compelled by force or imminent threat of force, a Level 3 felony; and sexual misconduct with a minor, a Level 4 felony. Dent is being represented by attorney Amber Shaw.
Orange Circuit Court Judge Steven Owen is presiding over the case.
Indiana State Police say Dant had sex with a 17 and 15-year-old girl, who were his co-workers at Big Splash Adventure.
In February 2017, according to an Orange County Circuit Court probable cause affidavit, Indiana State Police Master Trooper David Henderson was contacted by the Orange County Department of Child Services saying the two girls reported they had been raped by Dent.
A few days later, the girls were interviewed at the Dubois County Child Advocacy Center. The 15-year-old girl reported that she was talking to Dent, who was her supervisor at Big Splash Adventure, when the subject of sex came up in late 2016.
The girl said she agreed to have sex with Dent, who later picked her up from her home and took her to his home. During the intercourse, the girl told him to stop, but he didn't. She asked him again to stop and he stopped, but got angry with the teen.
During an interview, the 17-year-old, who also worked at Big Splash Adventure, said Dent contacted her in December 2016 to tell her she had left some items at work. He told her he was taking those items home with him and she could pick them up there. Early one morning the teen went to Dent's home to pick up her belongings.
While at the home, she says Dent pulled off her clothes and asked her for sex.
Dent told her she shouldn't have come to his home if she didn't intend to have sex with him. She says she had sex with Dent because she was afraid of him.
On February 15, 2017 Master Trooper Henderson interviewed Dent at the French Lick Police Department where Dent denied the allegations and told the trooper he would take a polygraph test to prove it.
That test was set up, but when Master Trooper Henderson contacted Dent he said he would not take the test on the advice of his lawyer. Dent was then arrested.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.