A former Indiana politician has been sentenced to six to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting his daughter on her 21st birthday after getting her drunk on Long Island iced teas. John Jessup, 50, who was serving as the commissioner of Hancock County at the time of the assault, committed the heinous act during a trip to Las Vegas with his daughter, Rachel Keesling.
During the sentencing hearing, Keesling delivered a heartbreaking statement, revealing the impact the assault has had on her life. She publicly identified herself after her father was elected to the city council despite the disturbing allegations. Keesling expressed her relief that the ordeal is finally behind her, but described her father’s actions as “sickening.”
The birthday trip to Harrah’s Las Vegas took a dark turn when Jessup encouraged his daughter to keep drinking despite her feeling unwell. He plied her with three Long Island iced teas and took her to a strip club, where he left her at the bar while he went to a private room. When he returned, Keesling was so intoxicated that she had to be wheeled back to their hotel room. She fell asleep fully clothed and woke up to find her father sexually assaulting her.
As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, Jessup must serve a minimum of six years in prison, register as a sex offender, and have no contact with his daughter or the rest of his family for life. Since the assault, Keesling has undergone therapy and been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, suffering from panic attacks and needing to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
Despite the allegations against him, Jessup ran for a seat on the Hancock city council and was elected by the voters. However, he has since resigned from his position. Deputy District Attorney Morgan Thomas emphasized that fathers are meant to protect their children, not violate them when they are vulnerable.
The disturbing case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators of sexual assault accountable, regardless of their position or status in society. The victim’s courage in coming forward and seeking justice is commendable, and hopefully, her story will encourage others to speak out against abuse and seek help when needed.
