Here’s what you need to know about IndyStar’s investigation of sexual abuse in Henry County’s community corrections program.
Who was Jason Bertram?
Bertram was Henry County’s deputy director of community corrections from 2010 to 2022. In that role, he supervised defendants on home detention monitoring, drug screening and community service.
What is Bertram accused of doing?
At least seven community correction participants have claimed Bertram used his position to coerce them into unwanted sexual acts with threats of writing them up for violations that could send them to jail.
Who knew about the alleged abuse?
IndyStar found that multiple county officials were aware of sexual abuse allegations against Bertram — in some cases for years — but failed to take action that could have prevented additional abuse. They included the elected county prosecutor, sheriff and a county judge. All of them sat on the board that oversees the community corrections program. They have denied that they failed to appropriately respond to the allegations.
What happened to Bertram?
Bertram killed himself at his Lawrence home on Jan. 17, 2023, the same day Indiana State Police tried to serve an arrest warrant for charges that included official misconduct, sexual misconduct, battery and unlawful proposition. He was 52.
Read the investigation here.
Contact IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at 317-444-6081 or tony.cook@indystar.com. Follow him on X: @IndyStarTony.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What to know about IndyStar’s investigation of Henry County sexual abuse
Reporting by Tony Cook, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
