DATE: December 2, 2022
SUBJECT: Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrest in Rape Case
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-NR-1202B
CONTACT: Sheriff Dave Wedding
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an 18-year-old Evansville man on multiple felony charges, including Rape. The alleged incidents occurred while the suspect, Luke Samuel Pokorney, was a juvenile. In five cases, Pokorney was over the age of sixteen allowing for an automatic waiver into adult court. The sixth will have to go to juvenile court and no further comment can be made in that case.
Sheriff’s detectives and DCS workers were first notified of the alleged crimes when a victim disclosed to a counselor that he/she had been sexually assaulted by Pokorney. Subsequent interviews of the victim substantiated the alleged crime and other potential victims were identified. Detectives followed up with each potential victim and in multiple instances found cases in which charges could be filed. In each of these instances, the victim and Pokorney knew each other and the alleged criminal behavior occurred after the victim told Pokorney to stop. Pokorney was located at his residence and was brought to the Operations Center. He declined to be interviewed and was taken into custody.
The Sheriff’s Office has interviewed all potential victims discovered during the course of the investigation; however, detectives will continue to investigate if additional victims are identified. Pokorney is being held without bond pending a court appearance.
Luke Samuel Pokorney, age 18, Evansville
Rape – 6 counts, Strangulation – 2 counts, Sexual Battery 1 – count, Battery – 1 count
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