John Edward Chrisman - Repeat Sex Offender - Habitual Pedophile Monster

It's been more than three months since repeat child molester John Edward Chrisman was arrested for violating state law by moving into an apartment only a short distance from the Youth Opportunity Center.

Now authorities say their greatest fear about Chrisman's behavior since his most recent release from prison, in September 2006, has been confirmed -- he sexually abused still another child.

The 49-year-old Muncie man was charged this week with child molesting, attempted child molesting and child solicitation, all Class C felonies carrying standard four-year prison terms.

All three charges stem from Chrisman's alleged interaction with a 13-year-old girl, who lived near his Kilgore Avenue apartment, last June 20.

Chrisman is also charged with illegal sexual offender residency, a Class D felony carrying a standard 18-month sentence.

Chrisman was on probation for a molesting conviction in Randolph County when he was convicted of child molesting in Delaware County in 1998. Both cases involved 5-year-old girls.

Chrisman, then of Union City, was first accused of sexually assaulting the Randolph County child in January 1992.

That charge was dismissed, despite a graphic description from the defendant, after the victim's mother said she did not want her child subjected to testifying in court. A few months after the charge was dropped, the victim's mother married Chrisman.

In 1993, Chrisman was charged with molesting the same girl. The 1992 charge was re-filed, and Chrisman pleaded guilty to both charges.

A state law enacted in 2006 forbids those convicted of child molesting, and a handful of other crimes against children, from living within 1,000 feet of facilities frequented by youngsters, including schools and parks.

Chrisman and another convicted molester, 66-year-old James Marion Burnette, were arrested July 18 after authorities determined they were living in an apartment at White's Mobile Home Park, just west of the Youth Opportunity Center.

If convicted of at least one of the pending felonies, prosecutors will seek to have Chrisman declared a habitual offender, which could add up to 12 years to any prison term he received.

In the 1998 Delaware County case, authorities said Chrisman -- who had been released from prison in 1997 -- sexually abused a 5-year-old neighbor in his south Muncie apartment.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte