Guilty verdict in child molesting case

A North Judson man was found guilty in a child molesting case.

Sammy D. Bottorff, 32, was found guilty following a jury trial in Starke Circuit Court. Bottorff was convicted on three counts of Child Molesting, each a Level 1 Felony, and three counts of Incest, each a Level 4 Felony.

During the trial, jurors heard testimony from the victim, a sexual assault nurse examiner, and detectives involved in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office. After reviewing the evidence and testimony presented during the proceedings, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all six counts.

The case originated from allegations that Bottorff sexually assaulted a juvenile female in late December 2020. Following an investigation conducted by detectives with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, Bottorff was arrested and formally charged by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office in December 2024.

Sheriff Jack Rosa commended the detectives for their perseverance and commitment to seeking justice on behalf of the victim. Sheriff Rosa also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office in presenting the case and securing convictions on all counts.

"The successful outcome of this case is a testament to the hard work of our detectives, the professionalism of the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office, and the courage demonstrated by the victim throughout this process," Sheriff Rosa stated.