(Columbus, IN) – A Columbus man was arrested on felony charges Wednesday following a six-month investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
Earlier this year, Detective Robert Whyte began an investigation after the Indiana State Police received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip indicated that a social media application discovered that a user was sharing images of possible child pornography to other users.
After multiple search warrants and subpoenas were issued and served, the potential suspect was identified as 36-year-old Michael E. Lawless of Columbus.
Investigators with the ISP Versailles Post, with the assistance of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service, served additional search warrants on Lawless in Bartholomew County.
Lawless was arrested on felony charges of distribution and possession of child pornography. He was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail where he was locked up pending an initial court appearance.
The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The Indiana ICAC Task Force is a multiagency task force that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to exploit children, and is overseen by ISP.
You’re encouraged to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCEMC). The NCMEC website can be accessed through the ICAC Task Force website located at internetcrimesagainstkids.com. Suspected criminal activity may also be reported to your local law enforcement agency.
