Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A teenager will serve six years in prison for molesting a child in Warsaw.
Khori L. Potts, 18, Huntington, was charged with child molesting, a level 3 felony. A rape charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Potts was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Thursday.
Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Potts to 14 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with six years executed, four years on probation, and four years suspended.
Potts has 296 days of jail time credit. A no-contact order between Potts and the victim remains in effect. Potts must also register as a sex offender and cannot be alone with anyone under the age of 18 during his probation.
At sentencing, defense attorney Austin Rovenstine noted Potts was underage when he committed the offense, with the case being waived to adult court.
“These cases are always complex and difficult,” said Rovenstine, discussing both Potts’ age and the harm to the victim. “He recognized the harm he’s committed and is ready to commit himself to change.”
Rovenstine said there was a “lot more room for growth” within Potts based on his age and his completion of several classes during his incarceration.
McGrath said that while Potts was “a youthful offender … harm is harm and damage is damage.”
“Your statements (in your pre-sentence investigation report) ring sincere to me,” said McGrath. “You said you ruined your life and the victim and their family’s lives. You recognize the seriousness of the harm you’ve caused. I certainly hope the victim is receiving the assistance they need to move past this, and I hope you have learned that this situation should never repeat itself.”
Affidavit Of Probable Cause
On Dec. 3, 2024, Warsaw Police officers responded to a report of a sexual assault that occurred on Nov. 28, 2024. A child said Potts had sexual intercourse with them multiple times.
According to court documents, the child said they were at a residence when Potts entered a room they were in and forcibly kissed them. He then had sexual intercourse with the child two times.
In an interview with police, Potts admitted to having sexual intercourse with the child on two occasions.
