ANDERSON, Ind. — An Anderson man was charged after he reportedly raped an underage girl, threatened to shoot her dad, and burn down her mothers home.
Benjamin L. Bales, 25, was charged with the following:
- Sexual Misconduct with a Minor/statutory rape, a Level 4 Felony
- Sexual Misconduct with a Minor committed by person at least 21 years old, a Level 5 Felony
- Intimidation, a Level 6 Felony
According to court documents, a female went to the Anderson Police Department on Aug. 12, to report that her friend was a victim of a sexual abuse attack.
As police investigated further, they interviewed the 15-year-old victim who reportedly said that herself and Bales had sex several times at a Motel and in his car.
Bales allegedly gave the victim a secret phone. It would be over the phone that he declared his love for her and asked her to marry him around her birthday. He also told her that, “age was just a number.”
The suspect even reportedly prayed to God and asked for his person. He said that the victim was the person sent by God.
Further, Bales threatened to shoot her dad and burn down her mothers home when she stopped talking to him.
According to reports, Bales knew that she was a teen, and it was corroborated with text evidence.
Bales was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 3:18 p.m. on a warrant request.
This is an active investigation. Information will be updated as it becomes available.
