COLUMBUS – A Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office investigation led to the arrest of four people on charges of human trafficking and rape.
According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, three people were arrested on Tuesday by deputies and a fourth Wednesday in Washington County by Washington County Sheriff’s Department deputies.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the investigation started on July 6, 2023, after Columbus Regional Hospital Police and Adult Protective Services became involved in a case where an infant was born to the victim, who was a mentally disabled adult with the cognitive abilities of a toddler.
Authorities say the woman did not have the mental capacity to willingly enter into a sexual relationship.
Further investigation revealed sexual material involving the woman had been shared on an internet chat line and on a website frequently used to sell adult sexual content.
Investigators allege the victim was taken to Salem, Indiana up to 15 times to be sexually assaulted by a male there.
Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane said, “I am continuously shocked at the deplorable actions of some individuals who would take advantage of and abuse others for their personal gain or desires.”
The victim is now under the care of a guardian and the baby is also being cared for in a safe situation.
Lt. Kevin Abner led the investigation into these allegations, along with other Bartholomew County Sheriff’s detectives and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.
“I commend Lt. Abner’s dedication and leadership in this investigation,” added Sheriff Lane. “These investigations are some of the most difficult, on a personal level, for detectives to handle.”
Arrested were:
Brandon A. Jacobs, 37, of Jonesville, on charges of promotion of human sexual trafficking, a Level 4 felony, and rape, a Level 3 felony. Bond set at $450,000.00 or 10% cash.
Christina Leann Moffatt, 27, of Seymour, on charges of promotion of human sexual trafficking, a Level 4 felony, and rape, a Level 3 felony. Bond set at $450,000.00 or 10% cash.
Christopher Scott Lovell, 41, of Seymour, on charges of promotion of human sexual trafficking, a Level 4 felony, and rape, a Level 3 felony. Bond set at $450,000.00 or 10% cash.
Jon A. Arnold, 65, of Salem, on charges of human trafficking, a Level 4 Felony, and rape, a Level 3 felony. Bond set at $450,000.00 or 10% cash.
In a lengthy investigation, detectives learned the victim had resided with Jacobs, Moffatt, and Lovell in Jonesville.
According to court records Lovell had been arrested for battering her while she was pregnant on April 27, 2023.
Body camera footage related to that incident indicated that Jacobs or Lovell were possible fathers of the victim’s child.
Lovell admitted in a police interview that he had engaged in sexual activity with the victim multiple times since September 2, 2022. He also admitted to witnessing others perform sexual acts on the victim, including Moffatt, and watched a video on Maffatt’s cellphone in which Jacobs was having sex with the victim.
Lovell also told police he witnessed Jon Arnold have sex with the woman. He admitted that there was an arrangement in place that the woman would be taken to Arnold’s house “so many times a month for $600”.
According to police, Jacobs and Moffatt utilized a chat line and OnlyFans account to distribute sexual material involving the victim.
When Jacobs was interviewed, he admitted to engaging in intercourse with the victim in December 2022 but said he believed Lovell was the father of the baby, the affidavit states.
Moffatt admitted to investigators all three of the men had sex with the victim. She also admitted to taking the victim to Arnold’s home in Salem 10 to 15 times.
Police found multiple photos and videos on Moffatt’s cellphone of the victim engaged in sexual acts with Arnold and Jacobs.
Arnold admitted in a police interview that the victim had visited his home 12 to 15 times between late 2022 and early 2023. He admitted to having sex with the victim but denied paying for sex. He did say he would help pay bills, give them gas money, or loan them money on occasion.
