Ripley County – On August 4, 2026, Members of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force served a search warrant on County Road 1300 N in Batesville, Indiana during an investigation involving a Batesville resident allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material.
Detectives from the ICAC Task Force initiated the investigation after receiving multiple cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a particular internet account likely in possession of child sexual abuse material. ICAC detectives immediately began working to identify the owner of the account and to confirm that the media was child sexual abuse material. During the investigation, the task force identified the suspect as Evan Werner, age 32, of Batesville, Indiana.
Following the serving of the search warrant, Werner was arrested and transported to the Ripley County Jail on a preliminary charge of:
· Indiana Code: 35-42-4-4.5, Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Level 4 FelonyThe Indiana State Police ICAC Unit, Indiana State Police-District 42 Investigations Bureau, Indiana State Police- District 42 Enforcement Bureau, Indiana State Police Digital Forensics Unit, Indiana State Police polygraph unit, and Indiana State Police SWAT/EOD assisted in the execution of the search warrant.
The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police. The task force serves to conduct investigations into reports of child sexual exploitation, enticement by predators, and the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM); apprehend and prosecute offenders; and educate the public on how to prevent online child victimization. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators from around the state evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse.
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. To report a crime with your child as a victim involving the Internet or other electronic means, please contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency. To learn more about the efforts of the Indiana ICAC, visit https://internetcrimesagainstkids.com. |
