Ripley County man arrested for rape in Kentucky

RIPLEY COUNTY, Indiana – Last week, a Ripley County man was arrested on rape and incest charges following an investigation by Indiana State Police (ISP)-Versailles Post detectives.

The investigation began in February when suspected criminal activity was reported to the ISP. Investigators received information that Joel Stoltzfus, 42, of Holton, committed rape and incest at least twice between 2005 and 2008 at a location in Christian County, Kentucky. The victim was a minor at the time of the crimes. These allegations differed from the originally reported criminal activity.

Due to the alleged crimes in Kentucky, ISP detectives contacted the Kentucky State Police (KSP). The ISP investigation resulted in KSP detectives forwarding the case to the Christian County, Kentucky District Attorney's Office for charges.

This resulted in an arrest warrant being issued against the suspect on August 7 for two counts of rape and two counts of incest.

Stoltzfus was arrested without incident on Thursday, August 15, and detained at the Ripley County Jail in Versailles. He is awaiting extradition to Kentucky.