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Trailer fire spreads to nearby building

A fire that started with a trailer spread to the nearby vacant apartment.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The building at 239 Horton Drive in Versailles was owned by Sran Koljindersra of Osgood. According to the Versailles Fire Department report, the apartment was being cleaned out for Koljindersran by Joe Benham, who owned the trailer.  He worked on it Saturday and had the trailer loaded with trash and debris. However, the fire started on Sunday evening on the trailer and then spread to the porch roof of the residence.

The Versailles fire department was dispatched at 8:49 p.m. The fire department brought two engines and a command vehicle to help extinguish the fire. Rescue 69 was also on scene in the case of injuries to firefighters or residents. The fire is listed as suspicious and is under investigation.





Child molestation charges filed against Milan resident

Charges have been filed against a Milan man for child molesting and child pornography. Ralph Clifford Wilson, 62, was charged with two counts of child molestation, a Level 4 felony, and one count of possessing child pornography, a Level 6 felony, on July 28 in Ripley Circuit Court. He was arrested the following day. The two victims were interviewed separately at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Dillsboro by forensic interviewer Stephanie Black.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the 10 year old girl stated the relative had been touching her inappropriately when she was 7, and also 8 and 9 years old. The 11-year-old girl stated the most recent occurence was when the same relative took them to a motel in North Vernon this summer so they could swim but then touched them inappropriately on their private body parts several times. She also said she and her sister never told anyone because he told them if they did he would do more “bad stuff.” The 11-year-old also told him that they did not like his touching, and had smacked his hand once when he got too close to her private parts. The two stated he looked at pictures of older girls on his computer more than 100 times, and also of naked girls in magazines. Both told the interviewers of witnessing the man touch the other sister inappropriately several times. The girls eventually told their mother about this.

Police investigated Wilson for the child pornography charge on June 24, and the computer was seized. Police found it contained numerous images of child pornography. On June 29, Wilson was then investigated for child molesting. When state police went to Wilson’s residence to investigate the child pornography they also questioned his behavior with the girls. Wilson stated his relationship with the girls was not a problem and he had begun “to back away from the girls.” Upon questioning, he admitted to possessing child pornography on his computer, according to the court document. He denied some of the molestation accusations. Wilson agreed he might need help for his alcoholism but could abstain from being with young girls. He was willing to write an apology letter to the girls, which he did at that point, stating “This will never happen again. Please forgive me and I love you.” It was dated July 6, according to the affidavit. A warrant was issued for his arrest July 28.


Local Bulletin Board

August 24
Southeastern Career Center open house, college fair and chili supper
The Southeastern Career Center will be hosting a combination Open House, College & Career Fair, and Chili Supper on Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. Current SCC students and parents are invited and encouraged to attend. Read more on page 2 of The Versailles Republican dated August 11.

Phone: 812-689-6364 • Fax: 812-689-6508
Email: publication@ripleynews.com

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