Protest in Goshen calls for harsher sentences for sex crimes

GOSHEN, Ind. -- A rally was held outside the Elkhart County Courthouse in Goshen, Wednesday, calling for longer sentences for convicted sex offenders.

It comes after convicted child molester Allen Cogswell, 35, was released from prison after serving six years of his 12-year sentence.

Nicholas Stanley, 35, is charged with gunning down Cogswell last week at a motel in Elkhart. Investigators say, one of Nicholas' young relatives was the victim in Cogswell's case that got him sent to prison in 2018.

Nicholas Stanley's sister Jessica Stanley, joining with others including the group 'Bikers Against Predators' to support her brother, and push for child sex abusers to serve more time before being released back into the public.

"I think in general, for the statewide, we need to move for harsher, harsher punishments," said Boots, a member of 'Bikers Against Predators'. "I think six years is way too, too little for these types of crimes. I think we need to move it up the ladder. We need to get, I know there's other states that's already moving into these phases of the death penalty for child molestation. There's no reason why Indiana should be, you know, sitting on the back burner on this one."

Nicholas Stanley is due in court on Thursday for a bail hearing, where he's expected to make a plea.