ISP announces arrest for predatory criminal sexual assault and multiple other sex offenses
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By BETH ZUMWALT
Austin Rodhouse
Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 4 arrested Austin L. Rodhouse, 30 of Pleasant Hill, for numerous domestic violence and sex related offenses. The investigation began May 8 when ISP initiated an investigation into domestic violence and criminal sexual abuse after being notified that a victim was at a local hospital. As a result of the initial investigation, Rodhouse was arrested at Blessing Hospital for aggravated domestic battery, allegeding he kicked a woman in the stomach hard enough to rupture her spleen. He was transported to the Pike County Jail. A preliminary investigation revealed that Rodhouse also had non-consenual sex with a woman May 4. He was charged with that offense May 21.
According to court records, the details state the abuse started Jan. 2022.
The investigation continued and last week, Rodhouse was charged with 48 criminal charges which include but are not limited to the following:
• 5 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault (Class X Felony),
• 2 counts of criminal sexual assault involving force (Class 1 Felony),
• 4 counts of criminal sexual abuse of a child involving force (Class 4 Felony). The children involved are 3 and 4 years old,
• 3 counts of child pornography (Class X Felony),
• 3 counts of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor (Class X Felony),
• 4 counts of indecent solicitation of an adult (Class 2 Felony),
• 2 counts of aggravated battery to a child (Class 3 Felony),
• 2 counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.
Additional victims have been identified in the investigation and further criminal charges are pending by the Pike County States Attorney’s Office.
The Class X felonies carry the potential for life imprisonment, something State’s Attorney Walker Filbert has indicated he intends to ask for.
Rodhouse applied for pre-trial release, but, his request was denied. He then went to the appellate court and was also denied at that level.
A change in the pre-trial release law, says now Rodhouse has the option to come to back to the circuit court and reapply again. He has not indicated what is next step is or has he entered a plea.
He is still being held at the Pike County Jail and has been since his May 8 arrest. His next court appearance will be Sept.9 at 10 a.m.
Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to contact ISP Zone 4 Investigations at 217-782-4750.