Indian Republican politician John Jessup, who was just elected as a county commissioner in Indiana, has pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault of his daughter in Las Vegas. Jessup, 49, must now resign from his position due to Indiana law prohibiting convicted felons from holding office. He is facing a potential sentence of eight to 20 years in prison and is awaiting a sentencing hearing scheduled for April.
The criminal charges against Jessup stem from an incident in January when he allegedly assaulted his youngest daughter, Rachel, during a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate her 21st birthday. Witnesses reported that Jessup got Rachel intoxicated to the point of needing a wheelchair and then sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious. Rachel reported the assault to police, leading to Jessup’s arrest and subsequent plea deal.
Despite the charges against him, Jessup was elected to the Hancock council following the incident. His daughter expressed disappointment in the election results but emphasized the importance of coming forward with her story. She plans to pursue a graduate-level degree in social work.
Jessup’s resignation will prompt a caucus to fill his position, according to a Republican party official in Hancock County. The case has highlighted the need for support for victims of sexual abuse, with organizations such as Rainn in the US, Rape Crisis in the UK, and 1800Respect in Australia offering assistance to those in need.
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