Gary Man Charged With Rape Of A Disabled Teen
A Gary man has been charged this week with Rape when victim is mentally disabled or deficient, a Level 3 Felony, after a November of 2022 incident in Valparaiso, according to court documents.
Charging documents allege on November 13, 2022, Everett Lee Gatlin Jr, 61, of Gary did knowingly and intentionally have intercourse with a mentally challenged 16 year old girl.
Police were notified on November 14, 2022 by school administrators that a student had informed them of a sexual assault that had occurred at home.
Documents allege that back in 2022 Gatlin went to a known friend’s apartment building but did not come to see the friend. Gatlin who was found in the shared laundry room of the building, by the longtime friend, after she noticed his car parked outside and found it odd.
The witness stated she noticed on her personal cameras that her friend, Gatlin, had removed a lightbulb from the entrance to the laundry room and then enter it. Within 30 seconds of Gatlin entering, a mentally challenged teen from the building ran down the stairs and entered the room as well. The teen who was accompanied by her 6 year old sister was told by her sister to sit on the stairs while she was in there, video showed.
The long time friend of Gatlin and witness felt something wasn’t right and went to check. The witness entered the laundry room which was dark and found Gatlin on top of the teen. Gatlin immediately pulled up his pants as the witness yelled at him in disgust. The teen was told to go upstairs by the witness and have her mom contact the witness immediately. The witness then pointed out the age difference as well as the learning deficiency to Gatlin who responded by saying, “She wanted to.” However the teen told school school administrators she had told Gatlin to stop. The teen added she was only trying to help her mother with the laundry.
The mother was notified of what took place after the incident and stated she did not know the man named Gatlin.
Probable cause was found against Gatlin and an arrest warrant issued for Rape when victim is mentally disabled or deficient, a Level 3 Felony in Porter County.
