New Albany man arrested for child molestation

Floyd County

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Rodney A. Cherry

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January 28, 2013

New Albany man arrested for child molestation

Events allegedly occurred in 2008

By JEROD CLAPP jerod.clapp@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Tue Jan 29, 2013, 04:01 PM EST

NEW ALBANY — A New Albany man was arrested on Friday for child molestation charges stemming from events in 2008 with a female relative who was then in fifth grade.

Rodney A. Cherry, 44 of the 800 block of Cedar Bough, was arrested on a warrant of child molestation and performing sexual conduct in the presence of a minor.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, the girl told police and Child Advocate Center officials in October 2012 that he made her touch his penis the summer after she finished fifth grade.

The affidavit says she was playing video games in his room when she turned and saw him naked. The report says similar events happened at the house several times from June to August 2008.

Cherry also allegedly sat behind her and masturbated while touching her hair. The report says Cherry told the girl not to tell anyone because he could go to jail.

Cherry faced two counts of child molestation from 2006 and 2007 in a case involving an 8-year-old boy. He was acquitted of those charges in April 2009.

Cherry’s current charges are C and D level felonies. His bond was set at $50,000 court-cash. He has not posted bail and is in Floyd County Jail.

According to court information, Cherry entered a preliminary plea of not guilty in a court appearance on Monday. His pretrial conferences are scheduled for March 12 and April 9.