Accusations against trustee revealed in court documents

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - A township trustee in South Whitley has been charged with three felonies and three misdemeanors for allegations that he inappropriately touched multiple women in his office.

Police arrested Roland King, 74, the Cleveland Township Trustee on Monday. A probable cause affidavit filed on August 3 revealed details of the accusations against King.

Indiana State Police began its investigation when police in South Whitley forwarded the complaints.

“We do have broad investigative powers that take us into investigations like this, into allegations against elected officials,” ISP spokesman Sgt. Ron Galaviz said.

The three victims were said to have come forward with their complaints separately; not all had knowledge that other allegations had been reported.

According to the court document, the victims had each gone to the trustee to formally request financial assistance.

In one instance, King was accused of asking a woman for a hug during which the trustee began rubbing the woman’s back, under her clothing.  King slipped his hands under the victim’s underwear, touching her buttocks, the affidavit said.  The victim told police that King said she needed a “sugar daddy,” who would take care of her if she would just “give him a little.”

Another account described a women becoming distraught during her meeting with King.  She claimed that the trustee pulled her down so that she was sitting on his lap.  While on his lap, King kissed her on the neck, rubbed her thighs and continued to touch her inappropriately.

The entire probable cause affidavit can be read here, the details in which are graphic.

King was released on a $40,500 shortly after being booked at the Whitley County jail.