Republican politician John Jessup was sentenced for raping his daughter while on a trip for her 21st birthday

A former county commissioner from Indiana was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison following a horrific incident in Las Vegas.

Republican Indiana politician John Jessup, who was elected to local office in spite of unsettling accusations, has been sentenced to six to fifteen years in jail after confessing to sexually abusing his daughter in Las Vegas while celebrating her 21st birthday.

In January 2024, the former Hancock County Commissioner took his daughter Rachel Keesling to Harrah’s Las Vegas for what was meant to be a milestone birthday celebration. In contrast, prosecutors claim that Jessup forced her to drink excessively, offering her several Long Island iced teas in spite of her objections, and then attacked her after she fainted in their hotel room.

Jessup took his daughter to gamble and drink all night long, according to court documents. Keesling was so drunk after going to a strip club that she had to be brought back to their hotel. She was assaulted by Jessup after she woke up from her unconscious state. It was only after she woke up that he stopped.

Jessup agreed to a plea deal in which he admitted to attempting sexual assault and will now be sentenced to at least six years in prison. Along with having to register as a sex offender, he is prohibited from communicating with his daughter or other family members.

After changing her last name and speaking out against her father, Rachel Keesling talked about the assault’s long-lasting effects on her mental health, including PTSD and extreme anxiety.

While the accusations were being made public, Jessup was surprisingly elected to a Hancock city council position. After being found guilty, he has subsequently left that role.

The grave betrayal was highlighted by the prosecution, who pointed out that parents are supposed to shield their kids, not hurt them when they are most in danger.