Former Madison County councilman pleads guilty to child molesting charges

A former Madison County councilman who was on the run for two years after facing charges of child molestation is now pleading guilty to those charges.

Steve Sumner has entered guilty pleas in Grant County Superior Court for charges of possession of child pornography, rape, and child molesting.  He was facing 18 charges in total.

Originally, Sumner was arrested and charged in 2020.  When he failed to show up in a Madison County court in July of 2023, an arrest warrant was issued.  The U.S. Marshals apprehended Sumner in Kentucky last September.

As the Herald Bulletin reported from the courtroom last week, Sumner’s plea agreement included that his imposed sentence would not exceed 30 years.

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.

The judge in the case has set a sentencing date of August 14.

At the time of his 2020 arrest, 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 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 had missed four consecutive council meetings.

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