After an investigation by the Linton Police Department, a Linton man was arrested, accused of taking pornographic photographs of a child and inappropriate touching. He’s been charged with seven felonies.

Thomas Aaron Hatcher, 39, Linton, was arrested by Officer John Agan of the Linton Police Department last Wednesday, March 11. Hatcher was booked into the Greene County Jail around 7:30 p.m.

His bond was set at $80,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. As of late today, Tuesday, March 17, he had not yet posted bond and remained in jail.

Hatcher appeared before Judge Erik Allen in Greene Circuit Court yesterday, March 16, and was formally charged with:

Two counts of child molesting – fondling or touching with child under the age of 14, Level 4 felonies, and
Five counts of possession of child pornography with an aggravating factor, all Level 5 felonies.

Officer Agan said an investigation began last Tuesday, March 10, after a report was made to the Linton Police Department that there were photographs of a private area of a child’s body on Hatcher’s cell phone. Another adult saw the photographs when they were looking at other photographs on Hatcher’s phone. The adult showed the photos to a second adult, and police were contacted. One or more of the photographs showed the child’s face and the two adults recognized the child.

Interviews were conducted with the two adults and with Hatcher who denied taking the photos and denied knowing they were on his phone.

The next day, when the child was interviewed at Susie’s Place in Bloomington, the child was able to describe what had happened and shared information on several incidents which included inappropriate touching as well as the taking of photographs.

When Hatcher was interviewed again, he first denied taking the photos and inappropriate touching. After he was confronted by LPD Sgt. Logan Hobbs, who also assisted in this investigation, with evidence and facts, Hatcher allegedly admitted taking photographs at least five different times and touching the child inappropriately on two separate occasions.

Hatcher was then taken into custody. During his initial hearing, a public defender was appointed to represent him.