South Bend man accused of sexual misconduct with teenage girl

A South Bend man is accused of sexual misconduct with a minor.

The investigation into 38-year-old Austin Monteiro has been underway for about a year.

Police were called by the teenager’s mother who said she suspected something was going on. ABC 57 News reports the victim said she started having sex with Montiero when she was 14 years-old and that he gave her marijuana, alcohol and morphine.

Investigators recovered several explicit messages between the two, including one where Montiero called her the hove of her life.

He’s being held at the St. Joseph County Jail on a $20,000 bond.