A 60-year-old Knox man is facing four felony charges, including two counts of rape, following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor.
According to the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Richard Alan Gast was arrested Monday, October 19, on an outstanding warrant issued by the Starke Circuit Court.
Detectives assigned to the Starke County Major Crimes Unit investigated the allegations and worked with the Indiana Department of Child Services throughout the investigation.
After completing their investigation, detectives forwarded their findings to the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Prosecutors subsequently filed four felony charges against Gast, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Those charges include two counts of rape, both Level 3 felonies, one count of sexual misconduct with a minor as a Level 4 felony and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor as a Level 5 felony.
Gast is being held at the Starke County Justice Center on a $250,000 cash bond.
Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.