TERRE HAUTE- On Thursday, April 11, 2024, the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children section with assistance from the Terre Haute Police Department Juvenile Unit and Uniform Division, Clay County Sheriff’s Department, United States Secret Service, and the Monroe County High Tech Crime Laboratory, completed a lengthy undercover criminal investigation into two males sharing child pornography. Detective Robert Whyte with ISP ICAC initiated two investigations after the suspects shared child pornography with him. After receiving further information, Detective Whyte, through a legal process, identified the male suspects as Steven J. Ellis, age 45, and Timothy W. Rudisel, age 63, both residents of Terre Haute. Residential search warrants were requested and granted by the Vigo County Prosecutor’s office. On-scene forensic examinations of electronic devices were conducted on both suspects. The forensic examinations revealed the devices from both suspects contained child sex abuse material. Ellis and Rudisel were each taken into custody without incident and transported to the Vigo County Jail.
Arrested and Charges:
Steven J. Ellis, 45, Terre Haute, IN
- Possession of Child Pornography images depicting children under 12 years of age, Level 5 Felony (2 counts)
Timothy W. Rudisel, 63, Terre Haute, IN
- Possession of Child Pornography images depicting children under 12 years of age, Level 5 Felony (10 counts)
The ICAC Task Force is a multi-agency 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 the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The NCMEC website can be accessed through the ICAC Task Force website at https://www.in.gov/isp/icactf/.
