VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Terre Haute man will spend up to 30 years in prison following his sentencing for child molestation and escape.
24-year-old Michael J. Norris appeared in Vigo County Superior Court VI on Tuesday. Court records show Norris accepted a plea deal in August and pleaded guilty to the level 1 felony charge of child molesting and the level 5 felony charge of escape.
Judge Michael J. Lewis handed down a sentence of 30 years in prison for Norris on Wednesday.
Court documents show the charges stem from allegations made by a young girl that Norris had molested her on multiple occasions for approximately eight years starting when she was just five years old. Investigating detectives later learned Norris had given the victim chlamydia in the process.
When police attempted to serve a Baker Warrant to compel Norris to submit to sexually-transmitted disease (STD) testing after the victim tested positive, he reportedly violently resisted police.
“I went to the door of Michael’s bedroom and called for Michael. I could see Michael laying in his bed because the door to his room was not entirely shut. When I called for Michael again I advised who I was and told him that I had a Baker Warrant for him. Michael sat up in his bed reached for the nightstand and retrieved his cellphone. Michael said “(expletive) you, I ain’t going.”
Probable Cause Affidavit filed in Vigo County Court
The investigating detective went on to describe Norris reportedly kicking and swinging his legs and arms while police attempted to handcuff him. Once cuffed, Norris was placed in a THPD vehicle; he then kicked the door open and ran from the scene.
It took several police officers to locate Norris shortly after, still handcuffed, and take him to a medical facility for testing.
Norris did test positive for the STD.
Vigo County Deputy Prosecutor Kevin O’Reilly represented the prosecution during the proceedings.
