A 47-year-old Vincennes man, formerly of Bloomfield, is behind bars on two counts of child molestation after alleged incidents dating back as far as August 2019.

Roupen (Rudy) Sepetjian was arrested July 16 on a warrant for two counts of child molesting—fondling or touching with a child under 14 by Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Devan Goad. The warrant was issued July 15 in Greene County Circuit Court. Sepetjian’s bond is set at $30,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. 

According to a probable cause affidavit written by Greene County Sheriff’s Department Det. David Elmore, on April 29 he was contacted by the victim’s mother in regard to inappropriate touching that had occurred. The alleged incidents occurred at a Bloomfield residence. When the victim told her mother about the incident, according to the probable cause, the mother did not ask details, rather she wanted her to be interviewed at a child advocacy center. 

On May 3, Det. Elmore met with Department of Child Services staff at Susie’s Place for a forensic interview. During the interview, according to the probable cause affidavit, the victim recalled an incident that occurred in August 2019. After taking a shower, the victim alleged she left the bathroom to get clothes. Before she could go to her room to get clothes, according to the probable cause affidavit, Sepetjian told her to lay in the bed with him. When she was next to him, she said she realized he was naked. 

While on the bed, according to the probable cause affidavit, she said he kissed her cheek, neck, and breast area. When he grabbed her breast with one hand, she told him to stop, but he continued. She said he used his other hand and rubbed up and down her thighs, close to her private area. It was later confirmed the private area she was referring to was the clitoris. She said she kept squirming and believes he would have raped her if she hadn’t kept squirming. 

The victim recalled hearing her mom announce dinner was ready. According to the probable cause affidavit, she told him, “let’s go dinner’s ready”, but he said no, held her down, and continued to touch her. She said she kept telling him to stop and let her go. She said she kicked him and believed she hurt him because he pushed her off the bed against a wall located at the foot of the bed. She said she was dazed for a little while after being pushed off the bed but said they continued with the night like it was “perfectly normal”. Later that night, she was lying on the couch and Sepetjian laid down with her and grabbed the upper part of her thigh but her mom came downstairs and he stopped. 

The victim was asked how she felt after what happened to her. According to the probable cause affidavit, she said she felt stressed and nervous. She said she felt extreme fear knowing what he did to her. She said he had threatened physical harm to her in the past, including putting a knife to her throat.

During the incident, the victim recalled looking up and staring at the ceiling, remembering there was a little lamp light on as well as the bathroom light. According to the probable cause, Det. Elmore’s training has taught him that it is typical for victims of trauma to focus on a specific area to escape or detach themselves from a current mental situation. 

According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim recalled another incident that occurred in March 2021. The victim said she was sick that day and had gone into the basement with Sepetjian. She recalled him putting his hand on her stomach, taking off her shirt, laying on top of her, and placing his head and beard on her stomach. She said he was holding her down by her waist, touching her thighs and breasts. She said he slipped his hand inside her shorts and rubbed her private area. She said she began squirming like she did during the other incident. During the incident, she said they heard the door open and saw a light turn on. She said Sepetjian jumped off of her and put her shirt back on, again acting as everything was normal. She described this incident as another close call. 

On May 6, Det. Elmore spoke with Sepetjian via phone and advised him the reason for the call. When he informed him of the allegation made the victim, Sepetjian, according to the probable cause affidavit, asked the victim’s name. He refused to speak with Elmore, instead advising Elmore to speak to his attorney. 

Sepetjian appeared in Greene Circuit Court via two-way video call from the Greene County Jail for an initial hearing on July 16. 

He faces two counts of child molesting—fondling or touching with a child under 14, each a Level 4 Felony.