Man charged with rape, child sex abuse in southern Indiana as police look for more victims

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Police in southern Indiana arrested a 23-year-old man accused of "numerous" sexual assault offenses and said there may be even more victims who haven't come forward yet.

The Charlestown Police Department said Jonathan Rodewig Jr., of New Albany was arrested in August after he was found driving around a girl who was reported missing. Charlestown officers smelled marijuana in the car, recovered drug evidence and arrested Rodewig Jr.

In a subsequent investigation, police said they conducted search warrants which revealed "evidence of sexually explicit communications and videos involving the juvenile victim." Presumably, the videos involve the same girl Rodewig Jr. was found with during the traffic stop.

Rodewig Jr. was then charged with:

Rape
Promotion of Child Sexual Trafficking
Child Exploitation
Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material
Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
Possession of Marijuana
False Informing, Class B Misdemeanor

An arrest warrant was issued for him, but Charlestown police said he's already in custody in a nearby county on similar charges in unrelated cases. Court records show he faces child molestation, rape and marijuana charges in Floyd County, where he's in jail.

"Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community is at the core of our mission," Detective Sgt. Crace said in a social media post Monday. "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."

Police believe Rodewig Jr. may have other victims. They urge anyone who has any information to contact police.

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