West (photo provided) |
SOUTH BEND — Five charges of sexual misconduct with a minor have been filed Thursday against a Mishawaka city employee.
Andrew Gary West, 26, an employee of the Department of Community Development for the city of Mishawaka was charged with four Class C felonies, and one Class B felony involving two girls who were 15-year-olds at the time the incidents occurred in December of 2010.
One of the victims told police that West took her to the Mishawaka City Hall, where he works and has a key, after hours to give her a "tour."
While at the hall she said he began making sexual advances toward her pressing his body up against her and kissing her neck, according to court documents.
She went on to tell police that at one point they were on top of a table in one of the building’s conference rooms.
At the end of their encounter he drove her home, told her he loved her and mentioned her birthday in February in which she would be 16 and "of age, " court records show.
He allegedly told the Mishawaka girl that at that time he could be her first if she wanted him to.
The two continued to communicate via text message and by telephone conversation before she told him she did not want him contacting her or her cousin (the other victim) anymore, court documents indicate.
He reportedly met both girls in 2010 through a community group they were involved with in St. Joseph County.
West was placed on administrative leave without pay as of Monday.
He remains in St. Joseph County Jail where his bond has been set at $5,000 cash or $50,000 corporate surety.
Staff writer Erica Morrison:
emorrison@sbtinfo.com
574-247-7756
