John Jessup, a Republican politician in Indiana, pleaded guilty to attempting to sexually assault his daughter in Las Vegas shortly after winning elected office. Despite the charges, Jessup remained in office as a county commissioner and was subsequently elected to the Hancock council, receiving about 15,000 votes. However, he will be required to resign due to Indiana law prohibiting convicted felons from holding elected office.
Jessup pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault, a felony that can result in prison time. He is awaiting a sentencing hearing scheduled for April. Jessup expressed remorse for his actions and acknowledged the shame he brought to the county. The criminal charges stemmed from an incident in Las Vegas where Jessup allegedly sexually assaulted his daughter, Rachel, during a trip to celebrate her 21st birthday.
Rachel Jessup shared her disappointment in her father’s election despite the charges against him and encouraged others to come forward and share their experiences of abuse. The local Republican Party has stated that they had no involvement in Jessup’s case and will arrange a caucus to fill his position once his resignation takes effect.
Jessup’s case highlights the importance of holding elected officials accountable for their actions and the impact of their behavior on their constituents. Resources for those affected by sexual abuse are available through organizations such as Rainn in the US, Rape Crisis in the UK, and 1800Respect in Australia.
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