BRAVE 9-YEAR-OLD CHILD WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN CONVICTION OF MAN WHO GROOMED AND MOLESTED THEM

Evansville, IN – Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that on February 25, 2025, Jamal William Jaquan Buford was found guilty by a jury of two counts of Child Molesting, both Level 1 Felonies. The Honorable Judge Robert J. Pigman of the Vanderburgh County Superior Court presided.

In July 2024, the aunt of the 9-year-old child victim became suspicious when she saw Buford walking out of the child’s room periodically without good reason. The aunt informed the child’s mother who then questioned the child and discovered that Buford was regularly molesting the child. In fact, Buford started grooming the child victim in 2022 when they were only 7 years old. The horrific molestation continued for two years until the mother of the child found out and alerted law enforcement.

At trial, the State presented the testimony of the child, the family of the child, staff from Holly’s House (a child and adult advocacy center), and law enforcement.

Chief Deputy Winston Lin thanks Deputy Berry and Deputy Doyle for representing the State of Indiana in this case and for their dedication in seeking justice for this young child. Lin also thanks EPD Detective Z. Oxford for his thorough investigative work, K. Harcourt and K. Cordts from Holly’s House for their expertise and skilled testimony, and Prosecutor’s Office staff Teresa Wilcox, Jessica Pollock, Tony Carden, Morgan Richardville, Tiffany Lubbehusen, and Jennifer Savage for their assistance with the case.

“This is yet another successful conviction in a child molestation case where the brave child victim came forward to testify and convinced the jury through their powerful words that the defendant should be held accountable for their heinous actions. It has been a concerted effort by the Prosecutor’s Office to empower victims to tell their stories, armed with the encouragement that they will be believed and that justice can be achieved even if there is no mountain of physical evidence.

These successful convictions also protect other past and future victims from further harm. This case was especially odious because the child victim had been groomed for years until a family member noticed a pattern and acted upon that suspicion. Criminals are able to pick the timing, place, and other advantages of committing crime, and thus it is even more important that we as a community speak up when we notice odd or criminal occurrences.”

Sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2025, in front of the Honorable Judge Robert J. Pigman of the Vanderburgh County Superior Court.

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