A workday in Indianapolis ended in an arrest on July 22, when police took Terell Richardson into custody outside his job and charged him with multiple counts tied to alleged possession of child sexual abuse material. According to court filings, investigators say they traced an online account that uploaded the files back to Richardson, and that some of the seized material allegedly shows recorded abuse. He later posted bond and was released from the Marion County Jail while the case moves forward.
Court documents reviewed by Fox59 state that Google flagged an account that allegedly uploaded illicit images and videos, triggering the investigation. Investigators then followed an email address connected to that account back to Richardson. The filings say some of the flagged files were screen recordings depicting men sexually assaulting young children, and officers reported finding the Telegram messaging app and a screen-recording function on Richardson’s phone.
"I kept getting curious," Richardson allegedly told investigators when questioned, according to Fox59. The court documents say he admitted to screen recording illicit videos because he was worried directly downloading the files might infect his device with a virus. According to the filings, officers arrested him outside his workplace on July 22 and he later posted bond in Marion County.
How Reports Travel From Platforms to Police
When tech companies detect suspected child sexual abuse material, they typically send a report to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which then sorts through the tips and routes them to local law enforcement for potential follow-up. Staff at the CyberTipline review each submission and work to identify the right agency so investigators can pursue the lead, handling millions of reported files every year, according to NCMEC's CyberTipline.
Charges and Penalties
Prosecutors have filed counts they classify as Level 5 and Level 6 felonies, and how those charges are ultimately grouped will help determine any potential sentence. Under Indiana law, a Level 5 felony carries a fixed term of one to six years, with an advisory sentence of three years, while a Level 6 felony is punishable by six months to two and a half years, with an advisory term of one year, according to the Indiana code.
The case is still in its early stages, with prosecutors set to review the evidence and the court expected to schedule upcoming hearings. As with all criminal cases, the charges remain allegations and Richardson is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty in court.
