By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

John M. Michalski III

COLUMBIA CITY — A Columbia City man was recently arrested for allegedly molesting two children.

John M. Michalski III, 30, 499 N. Line St., Columbia City, is charged with five counts of child molesting, all level 4 felonies; child solicitation, a level 5 felony; and four counts of inappropriate communication with a child, all class B misdemeanors.

On Aug. 16, a Columbia City detective spoke with two women about a child exhibiting sexual behavior.

According to court documents, the child told the women Michalski took them for a walk near a park in Columbia City when Michalski allegedly exposed himself and told the child to touch him.

Michalski also forced the child to watch pornographic videos on his phone.

On Aug. 17, a woman spoke with police about Michalski allowing a child to tattoo him. The child said Michalski inappropriately touched himself while being tattooed and also inappropriately touched the child.

Three children were interviewed about their interactions with Michalski on Aug. 18.

The first child said Michalski made them touch him and that Michalski inappropriately touched them. The second child said Michalski showed them pornographic videos but did not touch them. The third child said they were tattooing Michalski when Michalski kissed them and inappropriately touched them. They also said Michalski made them inappropriately touch him and showed them pornographic videos.

Michalski was interviewed on Aug. 19. During the interview, Michalski said he believed the incidents were misunderstandings. He denied showing the children pornographic material and inappropriately interacting with any of them.

Officers also spoke with a school staff member, who said one of the children molested by Michalski had missed a lot of time at school due to being depressed.

Michalski was booked in the Whitley County Jail on Sept. 3.