Man Indicted For Sodomy, Abuse; Arraignment Tuesday

A man who faces sodomy and child abuse charges will be arraigned Tuesday in Franklin County Circuit Court.

Brett Pendleton, 48, was indicted in January for one count of child molestation, three counts of statutory sodomy and two counts endangering the welfare of a child. He is accused of committing sexual acts with a juvenile and forcing her to ingest methamphetamine.

Pendleton is expected to appear before Judge Ike Lamke. His bond has been set at $250,000.

Police said Pendleton rented a room Jan. 1 at the American Inn in Washington. He was with an 8-year-old girl, who was a relative. Pendleton first took her to his girlfriend’s home in Union, then left for the motel.

The victim’s mother had been in communication and became concerned when it stopped. The mother later located the victim at the hotel.

The victim said Pendleton forced her to engage in sexual acts, eat methamphetamine and smoke marijuana and cigarettes. Police said Pendleton rolled the methamphetamine in toilet paper and fed it to the girl.

Pendleton was later stopped by Washington police and taken into custody. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and the hotel room. Police say they found drugs in the room to corroborate the victim’s account.

Pendleton is a parolee who manufactured methamphetamine.