A 24-year-old Indianapolis teacher was arrested Wednesday after state investigators said he exchanged sexual messages with a female child over Snapchat. He was taken into custody at a home in northern Indiana and booked into the Monroe County Jail while detectives review digital evidence. The investigation remains active, and officials have not publicly identified his employer.
Investigation and arrest
According to a press release from the Indiana State Police and reporting by WTHR, the investigation began in May and focused on Snapchat exchanges that investigators describe as sexual in nature. Troopers arrested the man without incident on June 3 at a residence in northern Indiana and transported him to the Monroe County Jail, according to state police.
Prosecutors have filed a preliminary count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors, a Level 6 felony. Officials said additional charges in Indiana and Tennessee remain possible as the case moves forward.
Allegations and charges
Investigators say the alleged conduct involved sexual conversations and the forwarding of sexually explicit images to a female child through Snapchat. Because the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not released further details about how many contacts are alleged or when they occurred.
Detectives and prosecutors are continuing to review digital evidence and are prepared to coordinate with other jurisdictions as needed.
Legal implications
Indiana law makes it a crime to knowingly distribute material that is harmful to minors. A Level 6 felony in Indiana carries a sentencing range of six months to two and a half years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, according to the Indiana Code. Judges have discretion at sentencing and, in limited circumstances, a Level 6 conviction can be entered as a Class A misdemeanor, while aggravating facts can lead to harsher penalties within the allowed range.
Next steps
The man remains booked in the Monroe County Jail pending initial court proceedings and any additional filings by prosecutors. For initial reporting and the state police statement, see WTHR. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information related to the case to contact investigators as the review continues.
