Former candy store owner convicted of child molesting

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) – The former owner of a central Indiana candy store has been convicted of child molesting for allegedly molesting two girls whose father rented office space near his store.

A Madison County jury found 67-year-old William Gilliland guilty Friday of child molesting but acquitted him of possessing child pornography. He’ll be sentenced Aug. 17.

Prosecutors alleged Gilliland molested two young girls he met in 2010 after their father rented an office upstairs from his Old Fashion Candy Shoppe in Pendleton, about 25 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

The Herald Bulletin reports that prosecutors said the girls befriended Gilliland during visits to their father’s office and the older girl liked to help stock his store’s shelves.

Gilliland maintains he was never alone with the children behind closed doors or molested them.