Greenfield man gets 14 years for sexual misconduct with a minor

HANCOCK COUNTY, Ind. — A Greenfield man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of sex crimes against children.

William Rather, 43, was sentenced Monday after being convicted of two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. The charges stem from reports that Rather was soliciting and having sex with an underage child.

Police began investigating Rather last December after the Greenfield Police Department got a tip that he was engaged in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl.

Rather later admitted to police that he knew the victim’s age and still engaged in sexual activity with her.

Rather confirmed “details about drug and alcohol use in his home,” which police said involved the presence of other juveniles besides the victim.

A search warrant was executed at Rather’s home the night the report was received, and further physical and digital evidence was found.

After filing a plea agreement in his case, Rather faced between 8 and 15 years in prison. While prosecutors requested the full 15, the defense argued for a 14-year split sentence that included four years in jail, four years of house arrest and six years of probation.

In the end, the Court decided to impose a 14-year sentence that included ten years in prison and four years of house arrest.

“It was disappointing to see the Court chose to go a different way in this case,” Prosecutor Brent Eaton said. “We did not believe this defendant to be appropriate for anything other than a fully executed sentence in prison.”

Prosecutors said that the victim’s mother was concerned for her daughter’s emotional well-being and chose not to have her present at the sentencing. However, they said she was supportive of the plea agreement.

Judge Donald J. Davis oversaw the trial and imposed Rather’s sentencing. Rather’s prison sentence will be served in the Indiana Department of Corrections.