Boone County deputies arrested 43-year-old Michael Plewa, a Brownsburg resident and former orchestra teacher at Zionsville West Middle School, after an undercover internet sting targeting adults who thought they were meeting minors. Court filings in Boone County charge Plewa with multiple felonies, including child solicitation and an attempt to commit vicarious sexual conduct. He is scheduled for an initial hearing Friday in Boone County.
Undercover sting led investigators to Lebanon park
According to WIBC 93.1 FM, court documents say an officer posed on a website as a 14-year-old named "Ally" and arranged a meeting. Investigators report that Plewa engaged in sexual conversations with the decoy and allegedly asked the teen and a friend to get into the back of his truck to perform sexual acts. Officers detained him in a Lebanon park during the planned meetup.
The filings quote Plewa as telling investigators he believed the online exchange was a "fantasy" and that he did not think the person he was messaging was actually a teenager.
He has a prior sexting conviction
Plewa was previously arrested in April 2016 after a student reported a sexting relationship with him. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation, according to court records. WRTV reported that, following that case, Plewa surrendered his teaching license and was required to register as a sex offender.
Charges spelled out in court papers
Court documents filed in Boone County list one count of attempt to commit vicarious sexual conduct (Level 4), one count of child solicitation (Level 4), two counts of child solicitation - defendant has prior (each Level 4), one count of attempt to commit vicarious sexual gratification (Level 5), and two counts of child solicitation (each Level 5), according to WIBC 93.1 FM. The filings describe the online messages, the planned meeting logistics and the conversations that led investigators to detain Plewa, and they note his initial hearing is scheduled for Friday morning in Boone County.
Where to report tips and resources for parents
Officials ask anyone with information to contact the Boone County Sheriff's Office. The department's website lists phone numbers and instructions for requesting incident reports and filing tips. The Boone County Sheriff's Office also provides guidance on its enforcement division and how to contact communications after hours.
For parents worried about online enticement, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children maintains resources and a tipline for reporting suspected exploitation.
Legal note
The charges are allegations, and Plewa is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Further details, including any additional filings or bond information, are expected to be clarified during upcoming Boone County proceedings.
