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CROWN POINT — A 37-year-old man was found guilty at trial Wednesday of child molestation on allegations he groped a girl two years ago in Dyer.

Warren M. Dejong, of Dyer, was charged with child molesting, a level 4 felony, on allegations he put his hands down a girl's pants sometime around Jan. 9, 2016, at Dejong's Dyer home. At the time she was 10 years old, prosecutors said.

The girl's father called police after learning about the allegations. The girl's mother found a sexually suggestive Instagram message Dejong sent the girl, though he claimed it was not intended for her.

Dejong was found guilty of the offense after a three-day trial that began Monday, according to court records. The jury began deliberations 11:40 a.m. Wednesday and reached its verdict in less than two hours, records state.

The state was represented by deputy prosecutors David Rooda and Keith Anderson. Dejong was represented by defense attorneys Justin Treasure, Robert McMahon and Paul Rossi, records state.

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Dejong is scheduled to be sentenced May 1.

A level 4 felony is punishable by two to 12 years incarceration.

Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail

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Lake County Courts and Social Justice Reporter

Steve covers Lake County courts and social justice issues for The Times. The UW-Milwaukee graduate joined The Times in 2016 after reporting on criminal justice in New Mexico and Wisconsin.