John Wood Sentenced To 30 Years in The Indiana Department Of Correction For Child Molesting

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Chris A. Owens announced that John D. Wood was sentenced Wednesday, August 26, in Scott Circuit Court to 30 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with the entire sentence ordered to be executed in prison.

Wood, 65, was convicted by a Scott County jury in June of two counts of Child Molesting following a three-day jury trial. The convictions stemmed from the sexual assault of a 9-year-old victim in June 2024. At sentencing, the prosecutor’s office also proved, and the Court found, Wood to be a sex offender, a sex or violent offender, and a sexually violent predator under Indiana law. As a result, Wood will be required to register on Indiana's Sex and Violent Offender Registry for the remainder of his life.

Wood was also proven and found to be a credit restricted felon. Under Indiana law, this significantly restricts the amount of good-time credit he can earn during his incarceration. Rather than receiving the ordinary amount of credit available to many offenders, Wood receives only one day of good-time credit for every six actual days served.

In addition, because of the nature of his conviction and applicable Indiana law, Wood will be subject to lifetime parole if he is ever released from the Indiana Department of Correction.

Prosecuting Attorney Chris A. Owens stated, “Today’s sentence brings another important measure of justice and accountability for a child victim who demonstrated extraordinary courage. John Wood will now serve 30 years in prison, and every day of that sentence is ordered to be executed. Even under the most unlikely circumstances that he lives long enough to be released from prison, he will remain subject to lifetime parole and lifetime registration as a sexually violent predator.”

Prosecutor Owens further stated, “This case is also a reminder that the courage of a child can make a tremendous difference. The victim in this case came forward, participated in a forensic interview, testified at trial, and endured a process that no child should ever have to experience. Because of that bravery, a dangerous offender was brought before a jury, convicted, and sentenced to decades in prison.”

“I want to again thank the members of the jury for their careful attention to the evidence and their service to our community. I also want to recognize the Scottsburg Police Department, the Department of Child Services, and everyone who assisted in the investigation and prosecution of this case. A special thank you goes to Chief Deputy Prosecutor Amanda Herald and First Trial Deputy Mark Kiesler for their work in preparing and presenting this case to the jury,” stated Owens.

The Scott County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to protecting children, supporting victims and their families, and holding those who commit serious crimes accountable. The prosecution of this case reflects the Office's continuing commitment to pursue justice for the most vulnerable members of the Scott County community.