Palmyra man facing rape and sexual misconduct charges

By: 
George Browning

A 21-year old Palmyra man is facing two felony charges as a result of a 2018 relationship with a 15-year-old.

Anthony Skaggs, 21, Palmyra, has been charged with rape, which is a level 3 felony and sexual misconduct, a level 5 felony.

Indiana State Police Detective Travis Baker said in a probable cause affidavit that he was contacted by the Washington County Child Protective Services regarding a possible child molestation.

On August 3, 2020, Baker conducted a forensic interview.

During the interview the victim told Baker she was in a relationship with Skaggs from 2018 to October of 2019..

She alleges that during the relationship when she was 15 and was at Skaggs’ residence, he forced himself on top of her, holding her hands down above her head.

She then told Baker Skaggs proceeded to have intercourse with her after she told him to stop.

The victim said Skaggs never tried to have intercourse after that one time, but told Baker he did continue to be “handsy” and “kissy.”

During an interview with Baker, the PC affidavit alleges Baker initially denied the allegations and agreed to submit to a polygraph examination.

The polygraph was conducted by Indiana State Police Sergeant  Roseberry and showed deception.

The report states when confronted with the results, Skaggs admitted to lying to Baker.

Baker alleges Skaggs went on to confess that he and the victim had sex on many occasions. He said the relationship started on August 22, 2018 two days after his birthday.

Skaggs said during the interview that he and the victim would talk about “bondage, discipline, sadochism and masochism sex” and they agreed on a safe word.

Skaggs told baker, according to the report, he felt like the victim was just playing a role and even asked him to be rougher.

Skaggs acknowledged the victim did say stop, but never used the established safe word and he continued.

He told Baker in the recorded interview that he realizes the sex was not consensual and he made a mistake.

In Indiana a level 3 felony has a maximum sentence of 3-16 years and a level 5 felony has a possible sentence of 1-6 years.

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