Jury finds Jasper man guilty of child molesting

Jasper — A Jasper man arrested in May of 2021 and charged with child molesting and public
voyeurism was found guilty last Thursday by a Dubois Circuit Court jury.

Joshua T. Govea, 32, was arrested on May 4, 2021, following an investigation into acts of child molesting and public voyeurism that allegedly occurred at an apartment in Jasper.

The investigation began when a ten-year-old girl disclosed to school personnel that Govea had
touched her inappropriately; the child later disclosed her belief that Govea had photographed her
while she was sleeping. The investigation was led by Detective Greg Brescher of the Jasper Police Department.

Jurors were selected last Monday, evidence was heard on Tuesday and Wednesday, and closing arguments were presented on Thursday before the case was given to jurors for their consideration.

After less than an hour of deliberation, jurors found Govea guilty on all counts: Child Molesting as a Level 1 felony, Child Molesting as a Level 4 felony; and Public Voyeurism as a Class A misdemeanor.

“It took many people and entities working together to bring Mr. Govea to justice, including Detective Brescher, school personnel, and the Southwestern Indiana Child Advocacy Center Coalition,” Deputy Prosecutor Brian Lucchi commented. “But above all, it took an unflinching young girl who chose to go through the ordeal of testifying at jury trial, rather than allow Mr. Govea to get away with what he had done.”

After Thursday’s verdict, Judge Nathan Verkamp remanded Govea to the Dubois County Security Center, awaiting sentencing. The court has set sentencing for June 23 at 1:00 PM. Govea faces between 20 and 40 years in prison.