7 hours ago
Police in northwestern Indiana arrested a teenager Friday morning following a months-long investigation into alleged possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to a release from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office, the investigation began on Dec. 19, 2025, when a detective with the sheriff's office, who also served as a member of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, was asked to investigate the possible distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Over the following months, the detective obtained several search warrants for Google, Snapchat, and X. These warrants led to the discovery that the suspect was a 16-year-old residing in rural La Porte County.
By mid-March, police say the detective had gathered enough probable cause to make an arrest.
On March 20, the teenager was arrested and booked at the La Porte County Juvenile Services Center on the following preliminary charges:
Conspiracy to commit rape (felony)
Seven counts of child exploitation (felony)
Six counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (felony)
Four counts of exploitation (felony)
The La Porte County Prosecutor's Office will make the final charging decision.
