BEDFORD – On Tuesday, February 6, the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes members of the Indiana State Police’s ICAC Unit and Digital Forensics Unit, served a search warrant and arrested a Bedford man in connection with the possession and distribution of child pornography.
ISP Detectives Scott Stewart and Robert Whyte, both of the ICAC Unit, initiated an investigation into the possession and distribution of child pornography after receiving a cyber tip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The social media application KIK had reported to NCMEC that an account holder was sharing child pornography.
During their investigation, Stewart and Whyte identified the suspect as 38-year-old John P. Fishel, of Bedford. A search warrant was served at a residence on Guthrie Bend Road, and Fishel was arrested on the following charges:
- Distribution of Child Pornography (Under 12 years of age enhancement), a Level 4 Felony
- Distribution of Child Pornography, a Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Child Pornography (Under 12 years of age enhancement), a Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Child Pornography, a Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Marijuana, a Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class C Misdemeanor
Fishel was transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
Troopers from the Bloomington District, Titus, a digital device-sniffing K-9, and his handler, Sergeant Ginger Marshall, assisted with the search warrant.
The Indiana ICAC Task Force is a multiagency task force that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to exploit or entice children sexually. The Indiana State Police oversees the task force.
The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to NCMEC. The NCMEC website can be accessed through the ICAC Task Force website. NCMEC is a private, non-profit organization providing services nationwide to families and law enforcement officials relating to the prevention of abduction and sexual exploitation of children. To report a crime with your child as a victim involving the Internet or other electronic means, don’t hesitate to contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency.
