Elkhart County man found guilty of felony child molestation charges

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- According to court documents, Zachary A.R. Pontius was found guilty of three felony counts of child molestation on Oct. 31, following a three-day jury trial.

Pontius was found guilty on Count I, Child Molesting, a Level 1 Felony, Count II, Child Molesting, a Level 1 Felony, and Count III, Child Molesting, a Level 1 Felony.

Specifically, the charges were Child Molesting where defendant is at least 21 years of age.

Court documents show that Pontius allegedly has sexual contact with an 11-year-old in 2020. 

"[The victim] stated that Pontius touched her in her private, meaning her vagina," court documents show. "Victim stated that he did it three times and every time he did it, Pontius put his finger under her clothing and inside her [private]."

The initial case was opened in January 2021.

Pontius' sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 20.