A La Porte County juvenile was taken into custody Friday after investigators reported recovering videos and images they believe are child sexual abuse material. Authorities say the arrest followed a multi-month investigation that started late last year. The teen was initially brought to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, then transferred to the county’s Juvenile Services Center. The case is still active, and officials say more information will be released as it is cleared for public disclosure.
According to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office, Detective Alex Pishkur, a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, received an investigative assignment through the ICAC data system on Dec. 19, 2025. By mid-March, detectives say they had developed probable cause. Search warrants were then served on Google, Snapchat and X (formerly Twitter), where investigators report finding videos and images they believe depict child sexual abuse. Detective Derrick Deck assisted with the investigation, and the juvenile suspect was located and arrested in a rural part of La Porte County on Friday, according to the agency.
How The Probe Unfolded
The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force helps coordinate tips and investigative leads between local agencies and the state, routing cases to detectives and digital forensics teams. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline frequently serves as the starting point when online platforms flag potential child sexual exploitation. In those situations, companies can be asked to preserve or turn over account and content data so investigators can trace who is behind a screen name or device.
Charges And Legal Context
The La Porte County Sheriff's Office reports that the juvenile faces multiple counts of child exploitation and was booked into the La Porte County Juvenile Services Center. The agency notes that arrests and criminal charges are accusations only, and that every person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Under Indiana law, a Level 4 felony carries a potential sentence of roughly two to 12 years, while a Level 5 felony carries a potential sentence of one to six years, as outlined by Justia. Prosecutors will determine whether to file formal delinquency petitions in juvenile court, seek to move the case to adult court, or pursue other charging options after they review the evidence gathered so far.
What Happens Next
The juvenile remains held at the La Porte County Juvenile Services Center while prosecutors consider next steps, and the sheriff’s office says the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, which lists public phone numbers and resources on its contact page. Officials say more details will be released as investigators and the prosecutor’s office continue to review the case.
