Child Sex Abuse Charges For Illinois Man Found In Tent With Underage Girl: Police

CHESTERTON, INDIANA — A Lansing man faces felony child sexual assault charges, after police in an Indiana town say he was found with an underage girl in a tent in Indiana Dunes State Park, local police said Monday.

The man, identified as Raul Rodriguez Ramirez, 27, has since been charged with multiple felony counts of molesting a child younger than 14 and a felony child exploitation.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Det. Cpl. Arwen LaMotte of Chesterton Police, on April 22 she received an email from the Department of Child Services reporting an allegation of child abuse involving a girl younger than 14 and Ramirez, who "were currently homeless and camping somewhere in Chesterton.”

On April 24, LaMotte interviewed the alleged victim and her mother, both of whom "adamantly denied the allegations," police said in a release.

On Thursday, May 8, LaMotte and Det. Sgt. Justin Frever traveled to the Indiana Dunes State Park campground, where after speaking to an employee, they found a campsite occupied by two tents. “I observed a smaller tent that had its 'window' open," LaMotte said in the affidavit. "I observed Victim 1 and Raul sleeping together."

Ramirez was taken into custody and interviewed at the CPD station, where he said he and the alleged victim “were in a ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’ relationship” and that he kissed her and slept with her, LaMotte said.

The alleged victim also “admitted to kissing and making out with Raul on one occasion,” LaMotte said.

On Friday, May 9, LaMotte examined Ramirez’s cellphone and discovered a pornographic video showing Ramirez engaged in intimate sexual activity with a female “who appeared to be Victim 1,” she said in the affidavit. “It should also be noted that this sex act appeared to have taken place in a tent.”

Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson stated Monday, May 12, that the department’s investigation is ongoing.

"I do want to thank Det. Cpl. LaMotte and Det. Sgt. Frever for their excellent and determined work on this extremely sensitive case.”