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Read comments (3)More details were released Monday by the Clay County Sheriff's Department about the case.
According to a press release, around 10 p.m., Friday, the department received a report of alleged molestation.
Shortly afterward, arrangements were made for Det. Sgt. Jeff Maynard and Division of Family Services Case Manager Diana Thompson to meet with the family and the child.
During the interview, the child provided details of several incidents of molestation that occurred sometime during that last month with the suspect, Ricky K. Cooksey, 47, Carbon.
Later, Cooksey voluntarily arrived at the Clay County Justice Center for an interview with investigators. During questioning, Cooksey admitted to molesting the child in separate incidents in Clay, Parke and Vigo counties.
Around 1 a.m., Saturday, Cooksey was booked into jail on preliminary Class A felony charge of Child Molestation. He is currently being held on a $50,000 cash bond awaiting formal arraignment per the court schedule.
Officials were aware of Cooksey's criminal history when he arrived for the interview.
"In these types of cases, one of the first things investigators do is run a background check on a suspect," Maynard said.
A search of the Indiana Sheriff's Sex and Violent Offender Registry shows that Cooksey was convicted of a prior child molesting charge Nov. 12, 1991. A condition of the sentence was he be placed on the registry and required to make annual notifications to the sheriff's department for a period of 10 years.
Cooksey was released from prison Jan. 1, 1992, and released from his registry commitment Jan. 1, 2002, although his record remains a part of the registry.
Maynard said it will be up to the Clay County Prosecutor's Office, which is reviewing information in the ongoing investigation for more potential charges, to decide if Cooksey's criminal history will have an influence on the charges filed.
As the investigation continues, Maynard believes there is a potential for more charges filed in Clay County, as well as charges to be filed in Vigo and Parke counties.
If anyone has pertinent information or questions about this case, Maynard urges people to contact him at the Clay County Justice Center at 446-2535.
Why is there a 10 year registry?? I am sure a child is scarred for life from a sex crime?? Why is the offender only marked for 10 years??
"A search of the Indiana Sheriff's Sex and Violent Offender Registry shows that Cooksey was convicted of a prior child molesting charge Nov. 12, 1991. A condition of the sentence was he be placed on the registry and required to make annual notifications to the sheriff's department for a period of 10 years."
The only cure for a pedophile is death. This man needs to be locked away for the rest of his life; he committed a sex crime involving a child before and he's done it again. I hope he isn't given a smack on the hands and let out to harm another innocent child. I stand by my comment when this story first broke--build a gallows on the courthouse lawn and make this predator the first customer.
This happens over and over with molesters. When will the courts realize that sex offenders need to be evaluated by a team of experts to see if they are capable of being released from prison and not repeat this offense? The lives of these children can never be the same. This child was under 10 years old!! Molesters steal the innocence of these children and repeat offenders should not be released from prison as they have proven they will not stop hurting our children.