In Fishers, a group of leather-clad volunteers helped turn an online chat into handcuffs this week.
Members of the nonprofit Bikers Against Predators teamed up with Fishers police to arrest a 56-year-old man after what investigators describe as an online sting that ended in a hotel meet-up. Court documents identify the suspect as Dennis Wayne Scholl, who is charged with felony child solicitation and misdemeanor resisting arrest and remains in custody.
The bikers say they posed as a teenager and her mother, recorded their interactions with Scholl and then turned screenshots and recordings over to investigators. Police seized electronic devices for analysis and later secured a warrant that, according to court filings, led to Scholl's arrest on Thursday.
As reported by Current Publishing, a probable-cause affidavit from Fishers Police Sgt. Seth Goldstein states that officers were called to a Home2 Suites in early February after members of Bikers Against Predators flagged troubling communications. One member told investigators he used a fake profile to pose as "the mother" and explicitly told the suspect the girl was 13.
Police say Scholl first communicated with the decoy on the app Taimi, then continued messaging through TextNow. The group provided screenshots, recordings of interactions at the hotel and recorded phone calls that officers say were used to corroborate the tip. A separate affidavit by Sgt. Joseph Hancock states that a warrant was issued Thursday and officers tracked a vehicle into Fishers before making the arrest.
Arrest and custody
Scholl is being held at the Hamilton County Jail, according to Hamilton County Jail records. The online roster lists an entry for "Scholl, Dennis Wayne" and shows no bond amount posted as of the latest update.
The case has been turned over to Hamilton County authorities while investigators continue reviewing the digital evidence supplied by Bikers Against Predators.
What the charge means
Indiana law defines child solicitation under IC 35-42-4-6. The offense can be charged as a felony depending on the age of the person the suspect believes he is contacting and whether a computer network or online service is used.
According to the Indiana Code, soliciting someone believed to be under 14 is treated as a serious offense and can be elevated if the suspect used an online platform or traveled to meet the person. A conviction can bring felony penalties and sex-offender registration, with the precise charge level and sentence length dependent on prosecutorial decisions and any prior convictions.
Who are Bikers Against Predators?
Bikers Against Predators is a nonprofit that says it relies on adult volunteers who pose as underage profiles online, gather evidence and deliver it to law enforcement. ProPublica lists the group as a registered 501(c)(3).
The group describes its operations as creating decoy profiles, documenting communications and preserving screenshots and recordings for police. Citizen-run decoy efforts like this have contributed to arrests in multiple states, but they also raise ongoing questions about how evidence is handled and whether vigilante-style tactics complicate criminal investigations.
How to report tips
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Fishers Police Department. The department provides information on submitting tips and general safety guidance on its website.
According to the Fishers Police Department, residents can share information using online forms or by calling the department's non-emergency dispatch line. This story will be updated as additional court filings or official statements are released.
