Chicago Sun Times
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A South Haven, Ind., volunteer firefighter accused of torturing a teenage girl covered his victim’s face in a firefighter’s gas mask while sexually abusing her, authorities said Wednesday.
Details of the crimes — spanning four years — were outlined in graphic charging documents against 37-year-old Michael T. Parsons.
While a sullen group of firefighters gathered at the South Haven firehouse in anticipation of a Wednesday evening meeting, Michael T. Parsons sat in Porter County Jail with bond set at $200,000 and awaiting a court date with Judge Roger Bradford.
Parsons, 37, of the 700 block of Acadia Road in South Haven — an unincorporated area northwest of Valparaiso and south of Portage — faces eight felony charges, including child molesting, rape and sexual misconduct with a minor. If convicted, Parsons could be sentenced up to 184 years in prison.
Meanwhile, Porter County police continue their investigation. Police would not say if any other potential victims have stepped forward since Parsons was taken into custody Friday.
“At this point, we are not commenting on what is still an ongoing act of investigation with any information that could jeopardize what is an extremely serious case,” Porter County police Sgt. Tim Emmons said. “We have received information from a number of people that are familiar with the suspect. We’re just trying to substantiate what information we’re getting.”
In what investigators called one of the most heinous cases they’ve worked, Parsons is accused of raping, confining and forcing the girl to perform sexual acts dating back to when she was 10.
Among other items, police confiscated handcuffs and a wooden restraint device Parsons is believed to have constructed.
Parsons admitted to police his involvement in the sexual acts, but told investigators he believed consent was mutual, saying the girl wanted to participate.
Police learned of the abuse on Friday and arrested Parsons later that day after surrounding his house.
South Haven Fire Department Chief Doug Patton suspended Parsons on Friday, and Parsons was expected to be terminated this week.
Parsons, who is divorced, is a steel worker at U.S. Steel Gary Works and formerly was a firefighter at U.S. Steel and at Bethlehem. He was a volunteer with South Haven for six years before leaving the department. He returned in March 2005 and was promoted to captain earlier this year.
Parsons’ colleagues called him a good firefighter, but Patton had noticed Parsons becoming more distant this summer, spending less time at the firehouse.