Washington County, Indiana (January 12, 2023) - An arrest has been made in a case that involves numerous felony charges, including child molestation and arson said Sheriff Brent Miller.

Travis S. Carothers, 33, is charged with 11 counts related to child sexual abuse as well as arson. The arson charge is in connection with a fire at the Pekin home where Carothers, whose legal address is Patoka School Road, Taswell, was living.

"These offenses are each very serious charges individually," said Sheriff Miller. "I want to commend my officers, especially Deputies Matt Hein, Lucas Gray and Hailee Lopotosky, for their hard work in this case."

Authorities say the alleged sexual offenses committed by Carothers were against four child victims. The laundry list of charges relate to incidents that occurred over a five-year period, beginning in 2017 and continuing through last April.

Carothers is charged with:

• Child Molesting, Level 1 felony

• Child Seduction, Level 2 felony

• Vicarious Sexual Gratification; Performing Sexual Conduct in the Presence of a Minor, Level 3 felony

• Vicarious Sexual Gratification; Performing Sexual Conduct in the Presence of a Minor, Level 4 felony

• Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 felony

• Child Solicitation, Level 4 felony (2 counts)

• Providing Obscene Matter and Performances Before Minors, Level 6 felony (4 counts)

According to the probable cause affidavit, the arson charge is related to a June 13, 2022, incident. Carothers called 911 in the early morning hours reporting that someone had thrown something into his house, setting it on fire. The property is on a dead-end road at 5860 East Greenbrier Road West, Pekin.

Following an investigation by the State Fire Marshal involving reviewing security camera footage and testing floor samples from the fire, it was determined the fire had been deliberately set. Carothers also faces a Class A misdemeanor for false informing in connection with the fire.

Carothers implicated another man in the arson, telling police that person would have committed the crime due to other criminal allegations made against Carothers. That person was quickly cleared as police determined he could not have been responsible.

All persons are considered innocent until and only if found guilty in a court of law.