GREENFIELD — A 20-year-old man accused of forcing himself on a girl at a party in early 2018 has been convicted of raping her.
Jordan A. Collins, of Greenfield, who was facing four felony counts associated with sexual misconduct with a minor, was found guilty of three of the charges. The verdict, announced late Friday afternoon by Hancock County Court Commissioner Cody Combs, followed a day-long bench trial last week.
Collins, who had withdrawn from a plea agreement, faces a sentence of 16 years in prison on the most serious charge, a Level 3 felony count of rape.
Collins, who was a teenager at the time of the incident in January 2018, was also found guilty of a Level 5 felony count of sexual misconduct with a minor and a Level 6 felony count of sexual misconduct with a minor. He was found not guilty of a Level 6 felony count of criminal confinement.
Collins’ relatives wept as jailers escorted Collins out of court in handcuffs after Combs delivered his verdict. His lawyer, John Merlau, asked the court to allow Collins to remain free until his sentencing because he had no prior record, but deputy prosecutor Catherine Wilson objected due to the severity of the crimes. Collins was returned to jail.
The victim testified that Collins forced himself on her during a New Year’s party at her home in Fortville. Both had consumed alcohol at the party, she testified.
Collins, however, said that while they kissed and touched, he stopped himself from doing anything more because of the girl’s age.
The prosecutor argued Collins violated her when no one else was around and only stopped when the girl said she could hear her mother’s voice.
Wilson said the credibility of the victim during interviews and at the trial played a role in helping convict Collins.
“The victim’s statements were consistent with the medical treatment, the police reports and the forensic interviews,” Wilson said. “They all told a story of what happened to this young girl.”
Collins was originally charged in January 2018 with two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, one as a Level 5 felony and one as a Level 6 felony; and one Level 6 felony count of criminal confinement.
Over the summer of 2018, Collins accepted a plea deal calling for him to admit to sexual misconduct. But, as officials prepared for the sentencing hearing that would have concluded the case, Collins opted to withdraw his guilty plea, records show.
In response, the state submitted paperwork to the court asking Collins be charged with one Level 3 felony count of rape in addition to the allegations that had already been brought against him. The prosecutor and the defendant eventually agreed to a trial before a judge.
The Level 3 felony charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 16 years in prison. The court is expected to hand down the sentence Friday, June 28.
