ANDERSON, Ind. —
An Alexandria man was held in the Madison County Jail on Monday after he was formally charged with molesting a 7-year-old girl.
Peter J. Gertz, 29, of North Minnesota Avenue, appeared Monday in video court before Magistrate Judge Stephen Clase. An automatic plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf on a Class A felony charge of child molestation.
Clase issued a no-contact order for Gertz to prevent him from communication or contact with the alleged victim.
Alexandria police went to Gertz’s residence at 9:20 p.m. Saturday, where they met with the mother of the alleged victim. The mother said she had witnessed her daughter performing oral sex on Gertz, who lived in an upstairs apartment.
According to an affidavit for probable cause, police questioned the girl, who told them she had gone upstairs to hang pictures. After they were done, the girl told police, they were watching a movie together when she said Gertz grabbed the back of her head and forced her to perform the act.
The girl’s mother told police that she had been sleeping and awoke to ask a friend where her daughter was. She told police she crept upstairs and found the alleged crime taking place.
Gertz remained in the Madison County Jail on Monday pending $35,000 bond. The charge against him carries a penalty of 20 to 50 years in prison if he’s convicted.
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
Local News
Man accused of sex with 7-year-old girl
- Local News
-
-
Boy Scouts honor veterans
For those who attended a Boy Scout Memorial Day ceremony Monday afternoon, it was about honoring US servicemen and women for their sacrifices.
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program
Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.
-
Arrest log: May 29
The following arrest log appears in the Tuesday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
June is Men's Health Month
According to Dr. David Gremillon from Men’s Health Network, “there is a silent health crisis in America….it’s that fact, on average, American men live sicker and die younger than American women.”
-
Memorial Day activities set
For Memorial Day weekend, here’s a list of activities to participate in.
-
Veteran receiving Bronze Star 68 years late
An Army veteran will be awarded a Bronze Star on Memorial Day — 68 years after he was originally supposed to receive it.
-
Arrest Log: May 28
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
What's Where: May 28
Local activities are scheduled Monday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
