GREENFIELD — A Greenfield man is accused of child molestation after a boy came forward, telling investigators the man repeatedly forced him to engage in sex acts, according to court documents.
Glendal Yates, 62, faces two Level 4 felony counts of child molestation and two Level 5 felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. He appeared Monday afternoon in Hancock County Circuit Court amid allegations he held the boy down, forced himself on the boy and touched him inappropriately, court documents state.
Police began investigating Yates after an adult who knew the victim found text messages detailing the encounters. The boy told a friend he had been raped by Yates, court documents state. Earlier this month, the boy told Department of Child Services investigators and police about the incidents.
The boy told investigators he stayed at Yates’ Greenfield home overnight at least 10 times in the past year. The boy said he would sleep on the floor of Yates’ bedroom while Yates slept in the bed.
On at least eight occasions, however, Yates joined the boy on the floor and forced himself on the boy, fondled him or forced him to engage in sex acts, the boy told police.
The boy said he tried to get away from Yates, but Yates would hold him down, court document state.
On Friday afternoon police interviewed Yates about the allegations. Yates initially denied having any involvement with the boy, court documents state.
As detectives pushed him for more information, Yates changed his story, saying “he is a Christian man but said that the devil got a hold of him,” court documents state. Yates told police he had grabbed or touched the boy several times, but denied having sex with the boy, court documents state.
Yates was immediately arrested following the interview with police. He remained in Hancock County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond at press time.
Each of the Level 4 felony charges Yates faces carries a possible sentence of two to 12 years and up to $10,000 in fines; the Level 5 felony charges he faces each carries a possible sentence of one to six years and up to $10,000 in fines.