Former Madison County councilman arrested in Kentucky after two years on the run

A former Madison County councilman on the run for more than two years from child molestation charges has been captured in Kentucky.

In January, the US Marshals Service offered a $25,000 reward for the capture of Steven Sumner.  He was arrested in December 2020 and currently faces 18 charges.  They include rape, child seduction, sexual misconduct with a minor, and attempted sexual battery.

At the time, the Republican was serving his second term on the Madison County Council, owned a local small business, and was listed as the pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church.

Sumner failed to show up in a Madison County court in July 2023 and an arrest warrant was issued.

On Tuesday, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department said Sumner was arrested in Winchester, Kentucky, “without incident” while he was driving alone.

In addition to the charges in his original case, Sumner was charged in June 2023 with failure to appear, which in a felony case is an additional felony.

The Indiana State Police investigation into Sumner found a girl younger than 16 that told officers Sumner gave her alcohol, performed sexual acts on her, and tried to get her to reciprocate. An investigation into Sumner’s digital devices also found more than 100 images of potential child pornography.

After his late 2020 arrest, Sumner initially refused to resign from the Madison County Council.  State law allows those awaiting trials on felony charges to continue serving.  It’s only convicted felons that are not eligible to serve for office.

In May 2021, Sumner resigned, saying a resignation letter that he was “currently unable to provide my constituents with the representation they deserve.” Minutes from Madison County Council meetings show Sumner has missed four consecutive council meetings.

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.