Terre Haute fireman allegedly molested young children in his care

ICN file photo

By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News

Plunkett/Vigo Co. Jail

A Terre Haute city fireman is facing multiple charges of child molesting.

Rodger L. Plunkett II, 46, of West Terre Haute, was booked into the Vigo County Jail yesterday around 4:45 p.m. He is charged with five counts of Class A and Class C felony child molesting. He remains held in the jail on $100,00, no 10 percent allowed.

The alleged molesting occurred with two young children in Plunkett's care between April 1998 - April 2005, in his home on Terre Haute's north side at the time.

• The first victim allegedly was molested between ages of 5-and-a half and 7-years-old. She told her mother back then that the suspect had made her feel uncomfortable, but did not elaborate, the suspect's ex -wife stated during investigation.
• The second victim allegedly was molested between the ages of 4 and 7-years-old. The ex -wife said she was unaware of the alleged molestation until the second victim had undergone a mental evaluation later on, according to court documents.

According to the probable cause affidavit, filed by Det. Sanford Scott, of the Terre Haute Police Department, 
investigation into the case began Tuesday, with Scott contacting the suspect's ex-wife. She agreed to come to the police station on Wabash Avenue the next day to make a statement. She brought along the suspect's current wife. The two victims, now adults, also were present.

Investigation revealed the suspect allegedly began molesting the first victim while her mother was breastfeeding her baby. She alleges that the suspect came into her bedroom and removed her clothes and then his clothes. He allegedly performed oral sex on her and then went into the bathroom to ejaculate. On other occasions, he watched pornography with the girl, with his penis exposed, according to the documents. She reported that the alleged molestation continued multiple times, until she informed her mother that she was uncomfortable around the suspect. After that, she said she doesn't remember it happening again.

Victim two reported that the suspect took her into his bedroom, leaving her shirt on, while taking off her pants and underwear. He allegedly performed oral sex on her and rubbed his penis against her body.

The current wife expressed concerns during the investigation about child pornography found on electronic devices in their home. She reported that the suspect had been sending her animated digital images for months , which included child pornography. She decribed feeling uneasy that he would even allegedly talk about including children in their sexual relationship. Eventually, she spoke with the first victim about the situation and discovered all the other allegations made against him at that time, she told Det. Scott.

Plunkett is set to appear in Div.1 Superior Court ​Sept. 10 at 9 a.m.

---