Bainbridge man wanted on sexual misconduct charges

Friday, January 2, 2026 at 7:53 AM

By Paul Gable

A Bainbridge man already familiar with local law enforcement officials has found himself on the wrong side of the law again.

According to court documents, Terry A. Leonard, 44, has been charged with a Level 4 felony count of vicarious sexual gratification involving a victim under the age of 14 and a Level 6 felony count of performing sexual conduct in the presence of a minor.

The 44-year-old Bainbridge resident also had a Level 5 felony count of failure to register as a sexual offender. In 2021, he was charged for failure to register as a sex offender.

Only one problem.

Leonard has fled the state of Indiana.

Police allege that on November 30, the Lafayette Police Department was notified by a woman who stated a male attempted to solicit her for sexual activities involving a juvenile.

The woman and Leonard began chatting through "Fetlife," and an investigation quickly commenced by the Lafayette Police before being turned over to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

After obtaining evidence of text messages and screenshots, police and the Department of Child Services attempted to contact Leonard early in December and reached him by phone.