A 30-year-old Indianapolis man who was already under federal supervision for a prior child exploitation conviction has been sentenced to 19 and a half years in federal prison after investigators say he distributed child sexual abuse material over the messaging app Kik. Andrew Scott Whitaker, Jr. pleaded guilty to distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material and was also ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release once he leaves prison.
According to court documents cited by WIBC 93.1 FM, Whitaker sent multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse material to several people on Kik on December 27, 2024. He was on federal supervised release at the time, stemming from a 2021 conviction in the Southern District of Indiana for possession of and access with intent to view child sexual abuse material. The alleged distribution occurred several years after that conviction.
Police executed a search warrant at Whitaker's home on March 27, 2025, and found a cellphone containing approximately 2,279 images and 1,109 video files of child sexual abuse material.
Multi-Agency Investigation Led by Local and Federal Officers
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, through the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Tom Wheeler, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said Whitaker used social media to distribute child sexual abuse material while on supervised release, and vowed that authorities will identify, find, and hold accountable people who gather online to exploit children. Ike Barnes, special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Indianapolis field office, said distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material causes pain and trauma to victims, families, and the community and carries significant penalties, adding that the Secret Service is committed to pursuing people engaging in nefarious online behavior. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maryann Mindrum prosecuted the case.
Why the Sentence Jumped From Five Years to Fifteen
Whitaker's Prior Conviction Whitaker's prior 2021 conviction was for possession of and access with intent to view child sexual abuse material. Federal sentencing data from fiscal year 2023 found that only about 7.1 percent of federal child pornography defendants received mandatory minimum sentences of 15 years, according to Johnson/Citronberg.
Whitaker will serve a 15-year term of supervised release after leaving prison.
Restitution Ordered for 15 Identified Victims
Federal Restitution Rules Federal restitution law includes a $3,000 floor in some cases.
The prosecution was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
A Growing Caseload for Indiana Investigators
The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received over 7,500 CyberTips in 2021.
Victims of child sexual exploitation, or anyone with information about similar activity, are asked to contact their local police department.
