A Marion man already on the state’s radar as a registered sex offender is facing a new round of accusations after investigators say they found child sex abuse material on a cellphone tied to him. The suspect, identified as Jacob Deck, was previously convicted in 2024 of possessing child pornography and is currently being held on a parole violation. The latest allegations tack on multiple felony counts plus an alleged failure-to-register offense.
In a Facebook post from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, officials said Deck faces preliminary charges that include two Level 6 felony counts and ten Level 5 felony counts for possession of child sex abuse material, along with a separate Level 6 felony for failing to register as a sex or violent offender. According to the post, investigators obtained a search warrant for a cellphone they linked to Deck, and the Delaware County High Tech Crimes Unit helped conduct a forensic review. Authorities say Deck admitted using the device to search for and view images, including material involving children as young as five or six years old. The sheriff’s office added that Deck has been held since April 30 on a parole violation and that the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office is now reviewing the evidence.
"Cases like this show the value of communication between agencies," Sheriff Del Garcia wrote, publicly thanking Grant County probation, the Indiana Department of Correction parole division, the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office and the Delaware County High Tech Crimes Unit for their roles in the case. According to the sheriff’s post, the investigation began after Grant County probation contacted the county sex offender registry in April. Officials have not released information about bond or a court date.
Investigation and Evidence
According to the sheriff’s office account, detectives served a search warrant on the phone linked to Deck and used forensic tools to pull search histories and images they describe as illegal. Investigators say those digital traces, combined with Deck’s reported admission about searching for and viewing the material, were compiled and presented to the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office as the situation shifted from a supervision issue to a new criminal investigation.
Legal Implications
Indiana law treats sex offender registration violations and possession of child sex abuse material as serious business. Registration failures are addressed under state statute and are generally filed as Level 6 felonies, with penalties that can increase for repeat offenders, according to Indiana Code. Sentencing ranges for Level 6 and Level 5 felonies typically run from about six months to two and a half years and one to six years in prison, respectively, with advisory terms often cited in court guidance, per FindLaw. The Indiana Department of Correction maintains the Sex and Violent Offender Registry and spells out the registration rules that probation and parole use to track compliance.
The counts described by the sheriff’s office are still preliminary allegations, and it will be up to prosecutors to decide whether to file formal charges in court. For now, Deck remains in the Grant County Jail on the parole violation while the prosecutor’s office reviews the case, and the sheriff’s office has asked anyone with additional information to contact Grant County probation or the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
