WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — A former Purdue University employee has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to child molestation charges stemming from incidents in 1985.

Scott Wheeler, 62, admitted to molesting a minor who was between the ages of 11 and 12 at the time. Wheeler was 21 when the events occurred.

Lafayette police said the victim lived next to Wheeler, who befriended the victim's parents and began spending time with the child. Wheeler gave the child gifts and started molesting him between March and December of 1985.

Wheeler confessed to knowing the victim and having sexual interactions with him.

Wheeler has been sentenced to seven years on one count of child molesting, classified as a Class C felony.

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