Messages found on Rodhouses’ phones show discussions about sex with son, submissions and punishments

WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — An eight-woman, four-man jury listened Friday afternoon to 3½ hours of text and Snapchat messages discovered on the cellphones of Austin Rodhouse and his wife that detailed their thoughts on sexual acts involving their son, submissions and punishments Rodhouse ordered for his wife and, eventually, his distrust and disgust for his wife as he mentally beat her down.

The trial for Austin Rodhouse, who turns 31 next month, concluded its first week on Friday in Pike County Circuit Court before Judge Charles H.W. Burch.

Rodhouse is being tried on 19 domestic violence and sex-related felonies.

• 3 counts of aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony with a sentencing range of between three and seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. 
• 1 count of criminal sexual assault involving force, a Class 1 felony with a sentencing range of between four and 15 years in prison.
• 4 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony with a sentencing range of six to 60 years in prison.
• 3 counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony with a sentencing range of six to 30 years in prison.
• 2 counts of child pornography, a Class X felony with a sentencing range of six to 30 years in prison.
• 3 counts of indecent solicitation of an adult, a Class 2 felony with a sentencing range of three to seven years in prison.
• 3 counts of aggravated battery to a child, a Class 3 felony with a sentencing range of two to five years in prison.

Jared Sample, a criminal intelligence analyst specialist with the Illinois State Police, testified earlier in the week that he created a PowerPoint presentation after Cellbrite Pathfinder helped him analyze more than 3.4 million digital “events” extracted from three phones and an iPad in the Rodhouse home. Ereka Glass, an investigator with the Major Crimes Unit for the Illinois State Police, read the exchange of messages as they were displayed on three television screens in the courtroom.

The first series of messages, from October 2022, were regarding sexual acts with the Rodhouses’ oldest son, who was complaining about the pain of an erection.

“Stimulation can stop the pain,” Rodhouse wrote. 

He later wrote, “The doctor told mom when I was checked out if I didn’t have sex or stimulation regularly, I’d have heart failure, and that’s what was causing the immense pain in my genitals. But I’m sure you know more than an MD with your stupid remarks.”

One series of messages was about the possibility of homeschooling their children. Rodhouse suggested his wife, identified in court documents as “CC,” would have to teach their son about sex. 

“We’re probably we’re going to have to do sex ed sooner than later, because (both of their sons have) watched us and are probably wondering, what is going on?” CC wrote.

Other comments made about the topic were:

• Austin suggested their son “hand us the (sex) toys and cheer you on” as they had sex.
• CC wrote that “it kind of feels weird talking about (their son) like that.”
• CC asked, “What if I get pregnant by (their son)?” Rodhouse replied, “That would be fine. We’d raise (the baby) like normal.” He said technically the baby would belong to their oldest son, “but we would raise him or her like a brother or sister and let him think it’s ours.”
• CC asked if Rodhouse would have had sex with his own mother. “Back then, from (age) 13 to 18, yes,” he replied. CC asked if he was attracted to his mother. “Yes, she used to be hot,” he replied. He also said he was attracted to his younger sister, calling them “my family crushes.”

Another October 2022 conversation discussed punishments for CC, who failed to completely insert a sex toy into her rectum. When she called him “Daddy,” he replied, “I’m only Daddy if you earn it.” 

CC sent Rodhouse a photo showing how she had used a scalpel to cut the word “Rodhouse” into her arm, but Rodhouse didn’t believe the cuts were deep enough. CC later sent a photo of how she used the scalpel to cut the word “Austin” on her thigh, and the deeper cuts led to blood dripping down her leg in the photo.

CC also sent a video showing herself using the scalpel to make cuts above her vagina. A man’s arms are shown assisting CC, who winced because of the pain. The man was not identified.

Nonetheless, Rodhouse was not happy. He wrote, “The courthouse is open Tuesday for divorce papers.” He later wrote, “You can’t commit to your goals. I don’t want to be with a weak non-committed b**ch.”

A third series of messages from January 2024 showed Rodhouse dominating the conversation about CC apparently cheating on him. During the conversation, Rodhouse wrote:

• “You’re the biggest mistake in my life.”
• “There’s nothing in my life I regret more than you.”
• “You’re f**king ugly.”
• He called her “tattooed trailer trash skank” and a “mom, homemaker and prostitute.”

Rodhouse told CC three of his friends were coming to the house to have sex with her for $200 each. She would get more money if a phrase from their favorite porn star was tattooed on CC’s buttocks.

CC wrote to Rodhouse that she wanted to show her commitment to the family by “pushing myself to be the mom, wife, partner and you and the boys deserve.” 

“What drastic decision can you make to prove to me you are (committed)? Because your word isn’t anything at all,” Rodhouse wrote.

CC wrote back, “The face tattoo.”  

“Pick a font and get the tattoo stuff out. I’ll do it after I shower,” Rodhouse wrote.

CC agreed to have “Austin” tattooed on her forehead over her right eye.

Glass also read the Snapchat exchange between them on May 3-4 when Rodhouse told her he was “officially done with her bulls**t,” that he would “beat the ego and hard-headed” out of her and that she should make herself a bowl of dog food.” CC eventually went to the hospital in Louisiana, Mo., on May 4.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Casey Schnack pulled passages from the conversations that she believed showed CC was willing to participate.

She noted that when the couple was talking about their son learning about sex from his mother, CC wrote, “It doesn’t bother me. I’d rather (he) learn it off me than a rando.” She also mentioned Rodhouse threatened divorce on multiple occasions, only for CC to try to save their marriage each time, and that CC suggested getting the face tattoo.

She also wrote:

• “I’m committed to you, Austin.”
• “I’m yours, and I’m here to stay.”
• “I’m not leaving. I’m not going anywhere.”

Testimony is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Monday. Rodhouse, a Pleasant Hill native, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His wife is expected to testify Monday.