Portage man accused of molesting four boys
By James D. Wolf Jr. Post-Tribune correspondent September 6, 2012 4:42PM
Christopher Truman. | Provided photo~Sun-Times Media
Updated: October 9, 2012 2:35PM
VALPARAISO — Porter County Circuit Judge Mary Harper set bail at $1 million for a Portage man accused of molesting four boys through Porter County.
Christopher William Truman, 38, appeared by video Thursday for an initial hearing on nine felony counts related to acts that began at least six years ago.
Harper set Feb. 4 as the week of Truman’s trial during the hearing. He faces 20 to 50 years in prison on the three highest charges, all Class A felony child molesting.
Truman is also charged with Class B felony sexual misconduct with a minor, which could get him up to 20 years in prison; two counts Class C felony sexual misconduct with a minor, with each carrying sentences of up to eight years in prison; and three counts of Class C felony child molesting, also up to eight years in prison.
Truman apparently knew the families of the alleged victims — one called him “uncle” — and also took some to Portage hotels, where they swam and watched wrestling on television.
Police first learned about the accusation Aug. 4, when a 13-year-old told his mother that Truman had molested him since age 7, and another boy said Truman also molested him.
The parents confronted Truman at the Valparaiso home of a friend, and Truman locked himself inside before police came.
At the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, he told a Sheriff’s Department officer that he took the boys to hotels to swim, played videos games with them, watched wrestling with them and often wrestled with them.
He asked for a lawyer when detectives asked about possible inadvertent contact during wrestling.
One boy said the incidents began at his parents’ home two years ago when he fell asleep and woke to Truman touching him inappropriately; the other said incidents happened about three times a month for six years.
A 21-year-old came forward because of the boys and said Truman molested him from ages 11 to 17; then he told Truman he had a girlfriend and wanted it to stop.
The 21-year-old said he told family members about it, but they said he accused Truman for attention.
That alleged victim also pointed police to a 16-year-old who Truman would separate from others during get-togethers.
That boy also told of going to hotels with Truman to watch wrestling and swim and had 140 incidents since he was 14.
Truman is next due in court Oct. 30 for a status hearing and said he would hire his own attorney.
About 20 people attended Thursday’s initial hearing.
