The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports last week from both adults and juveniles alleging ongoing sexual abuse by an Onalaska man.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division began an investigation into the allegations and has identified up to five victims, with additional individuals continuing to come forward.
To ensure the safety and well-being of the children involved, Polk County detectives quickly obtained an arrest warrant for Doyle Gene Hodge II. Two days later, Hodge, 40, was arrested on an active warrant for sexual assault of a child. He is currently being held in the Polk County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
On Monday, he also received charges of criminal solicitation of a minor and continuous sexual abuse of a child. Hodge was a volunteer at several of the local churches, and anyone with information regarding this case or who believes they may have been a victim of Hodge is encouraged to contact CID Sergeant Kayla Hemperly of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810.
Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons stated that this arrest is one of several recent cases involving the apprehension of individuals accused of crimes against children in Polk County. He reaffirmed the sheriff’s office’s commitment to protecting children, supporting victims, and pursuing the prosecution of those who harm them. Lyons also emphasized that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work alongside any agency dedicated to safeguarding children and holding offenders accountable.
