Ex-Indiana Police Sergeant, Fire Chief Pleads Guilty To Having Sex With A 15-Year-Old

Former Madison County Police Sergeant and Fire Chief Pleads Guilty to Having Sex With a 15-Year-Old Girl

Court of Law and Justice Trial Session: Imparcial Honorable Judge Pronouncing Sentence, striking Gavel. Focus on Mallet, Hammer.

Source: Photo: (gorodenkoff/getty images)

SUMMITVILLE — A former Madison County fire chief and police sergeant would spend the next 12 years in prison after pleading guilty this week to grooming a 15-year-old girl, having intercourse with her in a barn, and threatening to kill himself if she said anything.

James Sizelove pleaded guilty on Monday to 10 felony counts of child pornography possession, child solicitation, child seduction, and sexual misconduct with a minor. He was eventually sentenced to 12 years in prison and six years on probation. He must also get a sex offender assessment.

Sizelove worked as the Summitville Fire Department’s chief until Indiana State Police arrested him in March 2020. He allegedly met the victim years ago while working as a bus driver for the Madison Grant School Corporation in 2010.

The girl informed authorities that Sizelove committed many sex offenses against her around 2013 when she was just 15 years old. The girl stated that she met Sizelove in fifth school and that he began grooming her in eighth grade by giving her beverages and chocolates on the bus.

Sizelove allegedly had the victim sit next to him on the bus, groping the outside of her trousers. Later, during her freshman year, Sizelove allegedly began attending the child’s extracurricular activities and befriending her father.

After his arrest, Police stated that Sizelove was a well-known personality. According to records, Sizelove was a Madison County bus driver, the town’s Fire Chief, and a reserve sergeant for the Summitville Police Department. When the charges about the kid surfaced, he worked for both agencies.

During her sophomore year, the victim claims Sizelove began sending her improper texts and touching her more. When she was 15, Sizelove allegedly invited the victim to assist him with a fire safety lecture at the primary school.

The trip was allowed by the high school, and Sizelove allegedly picked up the victim from her home on the day of the event. Instead of heading to primary school, Sizemore allegedly drove the youngster to his home.

According to the woman, Sizemore led her back to a barn and ordered her to lie down on a blanket. She claimed he had her take down her trousers and began fondling her again.

“Sizemore again told her not to say anything or that he would kill himself in front of her,” according to the court papers. “[The victim] advised that the activities between her and [Sizelove] lasted until 2019.”

Police obtained a search warrant at Sizelove’s house in April 2020 and discovered various pieces of evidence.

During an interview at the police station, Sizelove allegedly acknowledged knowing the victim from the school bus and sending him obscene photos when she was 17.

Officers eventually discovered evidence on Sizelove’s phone indicating that the youngster had been emailing him nude images from the age of 15. They also discovered text exchanges between the two, and Sizelove reportedly acknowledged “putting his hand down her pants” on one occasion.

Sizelove pleaded guilty on Monday to one crime of sexual misconduct with a minor, three charges of child solicitation, five counts of child seduction, and one count of child pornography possession. Madison County Judge Angela Warner Sims then gave a 12-year sentence.