(5-20-25) Former Dunkirk, Indiana Police Officer Conner W. Esmond (28) was charged in Allen (Indiana) Superior Court 5 on Friday with a Level 3 felony for rape when the victim has verbally or otherwise refused.

In Indiana, rape is defined under Indiana Code 35-42-4-1 as knowingly or intentionally having sexual intercourse with another person when the other person is compelled by force or imminent threat of force, is unaware that the sexual intercourse is occurring, or has given no consent due to mental deficiency. Indiana law also considers it rape when the perpetrator disregards the victim’s attempts to refuse their acts, including physical, verbal, or other visible conduct. This means if a victim verbally or otherwise refuses, and the perpetrator continues, it can be considered rape. 

Esmond allegedly had sex with a woman in Fort Wayne despite being told “no” several times on June 4th, 2023.

In a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, the victim told police that she met Esmond on the dating application Bumble in December 2022 or January 2023

Esmond is presently a Bluffton, Indiana resident, he had worked for the Dunkirk Police Department starting near the end of 2022. He was let go from the department last year.

Commercial Review — Esmond accused of rape in Allen County