Man accused of molesting, sexual battery against 12-year-old

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - A man was arrested after he allegedly molested a 12-year-old victim, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Robert Peters, 46, was arrested on the charges of sexual battery, false informing, and child molesting.

On Wednesday, officers with the Mishawaka Police Department were called to a residence for a report of sexual battery.

When officers arrived, they found a man, later identified as Peters, in the driveway of the residence.

Peters told officers he had been staying with a woman in the residence and that someone else in the residence tried to say he touched them, according to reports.

Peters denied touching the victim.

He allegedly told officers his name is "Rocky Gasbarro" and that his date of birth is December 28, 1958.

Officers spoke with the woman Peters was staying with, who said she met Peters online and invited him to stay, according to reports.

He had been there a couple of nights when the victim texted and later told the woman Peters had touched her, police reported.

The woman immediately confronted Peters and kicked him out.

The woman gave officers Peters' real name.

When confronted by police about the difference in names, Peters allegedly said his name was Peters with a different date of birth.

He said "Gasbarro" was also his name, reports said.

Officers learned Peters had extraditable warrants out of Ohio, reports said.

Peters is being held at the St. Joseph County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

He is due in court on August 2.

UPDATE: In January 2023, Peters pleaded guilty to child molesting as part of a plea agreement. His other two charges, for sexual battery and false informing, were dismissed. Peters was sentenced to 12 years, with six years executed and six years suspended. He was also placed on probation for two years.

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