According to information provided by St. Joseph County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer McKinney, 20-year-old Austin Kipp, also known as Austin Csenar, was recently charged with the Level 5 Felony of sexual misconduct with a minor.
The minor, who is at least 14 years of age but less than 16 years of age, is referred to as child victim in all the official documentation and certain information was withheld from reference to protect their anonymity.
Detective Jeremy Wright with the South Bend Police Department was assigned to the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit to investigate allegations of a substitute teacher at a Walkerton middle School engaging in sexual behavior with a student. Detective Wright said he prepared an affidavit after reviewing a verified Walkerton Police Report, observing the forensic interview of the child victim, and conducting his own interviews with the defendant and investigating officers.
According to the affidavit, the middle school principal was interviewed by the Walkerton PD. The principal said rumors were circulating that Kipp had apparently engaged in sexual intercourse with a student and confirmed that Kipp had been a substitute teacher for the school on Friday, November 17th.
In the affidavit Wright recounted that the juvenile was forensically interviewed at the CASIE Center on Wednesday, December 13th where she stated that Kipp was a substitute teacher for two of her classes. The student disclosed that during one of the classes, she spoke with Kipp about some problems she was having and mentioned that she added him on a few different social media sites.
According to Detective Wright’s account, she told interviewers that the Saturday after Kipp had substitute taught at her school she and Kipp met at the McDonald’s in Walkerton then Kipp reportedly took her to his residence in North Liberty.
During her interview, the student said that Kipp put on a movie and they smoked a “vape” in the basement. Her statement to CASIE workers then includes an indication that Kipp asked the juvenile if she wanted to have sex.
She reportedly told interviewers that the two engaged in sexual intercourse in the basement of his residence. She stated that Kipp allegedly told her not to tell anyone what happened since he could go to jail.
Detective Wright said Kipp was interviewed at the Special Victims Unit on Thursday, December 14th. Kipp stated that he had recently legally changed his surname from Csenar to Kipp. Wright said that Kipp was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to speak to the detective.
According to Detective Wright’s report, Kipp initially denied allegations but admitted to teaching an art class at the school in question on November 17th. He reportedly told Detective Wright he witnessed the student scratching her arm during class, which concerned him, so he spoke with her in the hallway. Kipp denied the minor ever being in his residence or seeing her outside of school beyond one time seeing her at Dollar General.
Wright’s affidavit states that eventually, Kipp purportedly admitted to meeting the girl at McDonald’s on Saturday, November 18, bringing her to his residence and watching a movie. He later allegedly admitted that he had sexual intercourse with the juvenile
Detective Wright indicated at the end of his report that Kipp is a substantial “flight risk or a danger to self, others or the community since he was in a position of trust over the victim and he knows where the victim lives and goes to school.”
Probable cause was found and Kipp was arrested for sexual misconduct with a minor.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney McKinney said the state requested a bond of no less than $30,000 corporate surety or $3,000 cash.
A preliminary plea of not guilty was entered on Monday, December 18th. As of Tuesday, December 19th, a cash bond was issued to the Clerk. Kipp has been placed on pretrial supervision, is subject to GPS monitoring and a no contact order was issued.
His initial hearing has been scheduled for January 9th at 8 a.m. ET in St. Joseph County Superior Court 1.
