Amish man Sexually Assaulted in Indiana

LAGRANGE, Ind. -- Police arrested a LaGrange County man on charges he abducted a 29-year-old Amish man and sexually assaulted him, reportedly because the assailant could not find an Amish girl.

Ryan Bailey, 32, of Middlebury was being held Thursday in the LaGrange County Jail on charges of criminal deviate conduct, criminal confinement and being a habitual offender. Bond was set at $200,000 during his initial court appearance Thursday.

The attack allegedly occurred shortly before midnight April 26 after the assailant found the man riding his bicycle on a rural road near Topeka, about 35 miles northwest of Fort Wayne. Bailey tackled the victim, forced him at knifepoint into Bailey's car, drove to a secluded area and sexually assaulted him, the LaGrange County Sheriff's Department said.

The victim told investigators that Bailey told him he had been looking for an Amish girl, but the man would have to do.

Sheriff Terry Martin said the Amish community makes up almost half of LaGrange County, and some people specifically target its members because many are reluctant to report crime. Such reluctance is beginning to change through community programs with police.

"They trust everybody. They're just real friendly to everybody. That's just the way they are and when you have something like this happen to them, it's... I personally take offense to it," Martin said.

DNA evidence taken from the victim matched Bailey, investigators said.

Bailey was arrested Wednesday in the South Bend area

Detective Sgt. Randy Mellinger, the lead investigator in the case, said catching up with Bailey more than 6 months later brought him great satisfaction.

"My victim explained to me that the man had angry eyes," says Mellinger. "(The victim) just had a hunch that he'd been in trouble before."

It turns out the victim was correct: Bailey has a criminal history including drunk driving, methamphetamine charges, and domestic violence.

Jail officers said Thursday night it was not clear whether Bailey had an attorney.