Man arrested on child molestation, incest charges

UPDATE: On September 27, Winbush pleaded guilty to one count of child molesting. As part of the plea agreement, all other charges would be dismissed if the court accepts the plea. Sentencing is scheduled for November 1. 

ORIGINAL STORY: 

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - A man was arrested on child molestation and incest charges in connection with assaults that allegedly took place beginning when the victim was nine years old, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Jonathon Winbush, 35, was charged with two counts of child molesting, one count of incest and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor.

The St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit began investigating after a teenage victim reported the assaults to the CASIE Center on March 31, 2022.  

According to the victim, these assaults took place over a number of years, starting when the victim was nine years old, and ended in October of 2021.

One witness came forward and said they saw Winbush assault the victim on one occasion.

A second witness said they once saw Winbush with the victim. That witness said, "I don't like seeing weird stuff because it messes up my brain," according to the probable cause affidavit.

They also reported hearing Winbush say something to the victim that alluded to an assault.