ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (WTHR) — A Zionsville teenager has been arrested and charged with rape.
A 6-month police investigation in Boone County put Zionsville High School student Reed Dodson in criminal court Tuesday, facing charges of rape and sexual battery. The 18-year-old pleaded not guilty.
However, the high school senior doesn’t deny the sexual encounter. He calls it consensual.
If proven, the crimes could put Reed Dodson in prison for six to 16 years.
Afterwards the hearing, Dodson's attorney, Gillian DePrez Keiffner, issued this statement:
“Reed Dodson is no rapist; he is completely innocent of these charges. The evidence will show that this was a consensual encounter, and we will be ready for trial.”
According to the probable cause affidavit, around midnight on Sept. 2, the alleged victim went to Dodson’s Boone County home to help a friend who had drank too much. Dodson had been consuming alcohol too.
When the friend left, Dodson and the young woman went looking for him.
At one point, they sat down along the side of a road. Dodson started kissing her. She said “No.” He pinned her arms down and sexually assaulted her. The alleged assault ended when Dodson saw an approaching car's headlights.
According to the affidavit, later that night, the alleged victim told a friend of the assault. In the morning, Dodson sent her a text apologizing. Sheriff’s investigators were notified two days later.
The Boone County prosecutor, citing a potential conflict of interest, called for a special prosecutor in the case.
When asked why it took six months to file criminal charges, the Special Prosecutor Sonia Leerkamp said, “These are complex investigations. You want to be very thoughtful.”
Dodson made bail on a $5,000 bond. His trial is scheduled for August.