RIPLEY COUNTY, Ind. – Last week, a Ripley County man was arrested on charges of rape and incest after an investigation by Detectives from the Indiana State Police (ISP)-Versailles Post.
The investigation began in February when suspected criminal activity was reported to ISP. Detectives obtained information that Joel Stoltzfus, 42, of Holton, had allegedly committed crimes of rape and incest at a location in Christian County, Kentucky on at least two occasions between 2005 and 2008. The victim was a juvenile when the crimes occurred. These allegations were different from the original criminal activity reported.
Due to the supposed crimes occurring in Kentucky, ISP detectives contacted the Kentucky State Police (KSP). The ISP investigation led to KSP detectives submitting the case to Christian County, Kentucky prosecutors for filing charges.
This resulted in a warrant being issued for the suspect on August 7 for two counts of rape and two counts of incest.
Stoltzfus was arrested without incident on Thursday, August 15, and incarcerated at the Ripley County Jail in Versailles. He awaits extradition to Kentucky.