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Article from Fox 59
JACKSON COUNTY, Ind. – An accused child molester on the run for more than 16 years is finally behind bars.
The suspect, Charley Hollin, is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a young girl in Seymour way back in 1999.
The abduction took place outside a long now locked up girls club parking lot where a man forced a 10-year-old girl into his car at knife point.
The suspect drove to a remote county road, sexually assaulted the girl and threatened to kill her, before setting her free.
A driver who was passing by found the girl alone and naked.
Forensic evidence from the scene and evidence recovered from the car pointed to Hollin as a suspect. In 2000, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office filed two counts of felony confinement with a deadly weapon and three counts of child molestation against him.
Unfortunately, before prosecutors could arrest Hollin for the crime, Hollin took off landing him on the FBI’s most wanted list.
“While the investigation was pending he disappeared for a little over 16 years,” said U.S. attorney Josh Minkler.
Before his disappearance, Hollin claimed to have an assortment of fake hair pieces and mustaches to disguise himself. He allegedly told a coworker, “If you want to, and know how, you can become someone else, just like that, real easy.”
Minkler says Hollin stole the identity of an 8-year-old boy. The certificate of death shows that boy, Andrew David Hall, died in a car crash in 1975.
Hollin, living under the name Andrew Hall, moved to Oregon before making one big mistake.
“He was identified by a passport photo that he had taken. That’s how we got the lead,” said Minkler.
Using facial recognition technology on the passport, FBI agents arrested the now 61-year-old Hollin when they found him working at a Walmart store in Oregon.
“Today is a good day because we’re able to take this wanted photo down and hang this photo of Mr. Hollin being arrested at that Walmart,” said FBI special agent Greg Massa.
While the community of Seymour, including the victim’s family, is no doubt relieved by the arrest, prosecutors hope Hollin’s capture sends a message to criminals everywhere.
“You can run and try to hide, but if you commit a crime against a child, federal law enforcement will send the cavalry,” said Minkler.
Hollin has already appeared in federal court in Oregon and is due to be transported back Indiana soon.
Hollin faces up to 8 years for the federal charges of unlawful flight. If convicted of molestation charges in Jackson County, he could face decades in prison.
If you or someone you care about was sexually abused and you would like advice from an attorney about the rights and options for victims of child sexual abuse, please contact Crew Janci LLP today for a free, confidential consultation at 1-888-407-0224 or by using our private online form. We will treat you with discretion and respect.
