Indiana

'Sexually violent predator' arrested again on child sex abuse charges

convicted child molester joseph anderson jr
(Photo Supplied/St. Joseph County Jail)

A Mishawaka man classified as a “sexually violent predator” was arrested again this week after police say he molested four children in the last year.

Joseph Anderson Jr., 33, was charged with 11 felonies total — three counts of child molesting, three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and one count each of vicarious sexual conduct, child exploitation, violation of lifetime parole and failure to possess identification as a sex offender. 

Anderson is accused of molesting four children, ages 9, 11, 14 and 16, from February 2015 to February 2016, the South Bend Tribune reported. Police began investigating after an acquaintance saw cell phone pictures allegedly showing Anderson abusing 9-year-old child and called Indiana Department of Child Services.

At least some of the abuse occurred at a now-closed business in downtown South Bend where Anderson worked called Mystic Moon Magick. Anderson allegedly gave at least two of the victims alcohol and marijuana before abusing them, the Tribune reported.

Anderson was convicted of abusing children in 2006 and 2009 and was placed on lifetime parole and ordered not to contact children younger than 16.

He’s being held on $50,000 bond on St. Joseph County Jail.

Read more about evidence police found during their investigation in the full story from the South Bend Tribune.

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