GREENFIELD — A local Marine Corps recruiter and former Greenfield Police Department reserve officer pleaded not guilty Friday to charges he sexually assaulted an 18-year-old Indianapolis girl at his home in Greenfield.
Johnathan L. Bean, 26, was arrested Thursday on charges of rape, sexual battery and providing alcohol to minors. The incident reportedly occurred in early February.
The girl and her sister, who was interested in joining the Marine Corps, told police they visited Bean’s home with other high school-aged recruits. The girls said they drank with Bean and his wife for most of the evening.
The victim said Bean made sexual comments to her and had groped her several times that night before she fell asleep on a couch in Bean’s living room.
At some point, she was carried into another room and woke up after feeling the pressure of someone touching her without her consent, according to court documents.
Both girls left Bean’s home immediately and reported the crime to Greenfield police the next day.
Police Chief John Jester said Bean was in the early stages of joining the department and had only completed about a month of training. Once it became apparent that a member of the department personnel was involved, he said the case was turned over to the Indiana State Police for further investigation, and Bean was removed from the department.
State police Detective Randy Pratt pursued the investigation after that.
Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton said his office has been working with law enforcement for several weeks to bring charges against Bean, who could now be sentenced to serve more than 16 years in prison.
Bean appeared in court for an initial hearing Friday, where he pleaded not guilty. He was being held on a $200,000 bond.
A trial date has been set for Sept. 8.