According to information from the Ripley County Prosecutor’s office, two local child sex offenders have pled guilty in circuit court.

Justin Lee Whitham, pled guilty to Sexual Misconduct With a Minor and Richard Jarrett pled guilty to Child Molesting. Both investigations were handled by the Indiana State Police detectives from the Versailles Post.

Whitham pled guilty and was sentenced to 18 years in the Department of Corrections with three years suspended to reporting probation. His crimes took place in early 2009 in the Versailles area against a 15-year-old girl. Whitham and the juvenile had met through her mother, who was dating Whitham and living with him for a period of time.

According to court records, Whitham has fathered children from the adult woman in the household and the daughter (the juvenile victim) as well. Detective Tracy Rohlfing investigated the case.

Jarrett pled guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in the Department of Corrections with five years suspended to reporting probation. His crimes took place in late 2009 in the Milan area. Jarrett provided alcohol to his victim before committing the crime against her. Detectives Glenn Potts and Tom Baxter jointly worked the investigation into this crime.

Prosecuting attorney Ric Hertel said he was pleased with the guilty pleas and sentences in both cases. He said both men will be incarcerated for a significant period of time and have sex offender registration requirements when they are released by the Department of Corrections.

The sex offenders will be monitored by the probation department for a time following their release from prison.
“These cases and investigations are very involved and time consuming, and they require a certain level of experience and expertise in criminal investigations,” noted Hertel. He said, “With the guilty plea, the victims did not have to testify against these men in “open” court and their avenue for a successful appeal is nearly eliminated.”

Prosecutor Hertel commended the Indiana State Police detectives in both cases for their “diligence and work”.