Last week, a three-day sting was conducted in Shelbyville targeting child sex offenders who seek to exploit children online. The operation netted 11 total arrests (10 in Shelbyville, and one in Clinton County).
The operation was spearheaded by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), the Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office, the Shelby County ICAC Task Force, the Indiana State Police, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, the Shelbyville Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Shelby County Prosecutor James B. Landwerlen has issued a news release highlighting the results of the operation. To view that release, please click on the link below.
Shelby County Prosecutor News Release
I am happy to announce that we conducted a very successful 3-day sting operation last week in Shelbyville targeting child sex offenders who seek to exploit children online. The operation netted 11 total arrests (10 in Shelbyville, and 1 in Clinton County). The operation was spearheaded by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), the Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office, the Shelby County ICAC Task Force, the Indiana State Police, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, the Shelbyville Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. The investigation involved over 75 police officers and agents from 21 local, state, and federal agencies and task forces. Those agencies involved included:
- Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office
- Shelby County Sheriff’s Dept.
- Shelbyville Police Department
- Indiana State Police
- West Lafayette Police Department
- Zionsville Police Department
- Indiana Fusion Center
- Whitestown Police Department
- Clinton County Sheriff’s Department
- Fishers Police Department
- Boone County Sheriff’s Department
- U.S. Secret Service
- U.S. Homeland Security Investigations
- Greenfield Police Department
- Lebanon Police Department
- Indianapolis Metro Police Dept.
- Westfield Police Department
- Shelby County ICAC Task Force
- Madison County High Tech Crime Unit
- Shelbyville/Shelby County SWAT Team
- Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
This is the first large-scale investigation involving the Shelby County ICAC Task Force, and it nabbed a record 11 alleged offenders (the previous ICAC record for such an investigation was 8 arrests). The investigation involved undercover officers posing as minors “chatting” online with people seeking to target minors for unlawful activity. Most of those apprehended traveled to Shelbyville to meet with minors while expecting sexual activity (and 2 were apprehended in other counties, and one came to trade methamphetamine for sexual favors with an adult).
As a result of these investigative efforts, law enforcement identified and rescued an infant from sexual abuse. The child is safe and receiving services. The alleged offender is in custody as a result of this investigation and charges are pending in the other county, as their offense is still under investigation. Several had prior child sex crime histories, one was an illegal alien, and one is an attorney. Those arrested and charged in Shelby County are:
1. John Michael Altman, 27, from Logansport, IN
- Count I: Attempted Child Molest (Level 1 Felony)
- Count II: Child Solicitation (Level 4 Felony)
2. Robert Owen Bland, 34, from Indianapolis, IN
- Count I: Dealing in Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
- Count II: Dealing in Cocaine, Level 4 Felony
- Count III: Making Unlawful Proposition – Class A Misdemeanor
- Count IV: Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor
3. Jackson Daniel Renaker, 36, Covington, KY.
- Count I: Child Solicitation – Level 4 Felony
4. Frederick Maxwell Walsh, 39, Bloomington, IN
- Count I: Child Solicitation – Level 4 Felony
5. Brandon Lamont Stephens, 36, Indianapolis, IN
- Count I: Child Solicitation, Level 4 Felony
6. Darren Stephens, 35, Greenwood, IN
- Count I: Child Solicitation, Level 4 Felony
7. Michael Allen Shelton, 73, Shelbyville, IN
- Count I: Child Solicitation, Level 4 Felony
8. Daniel Roy Martin, 47. Oakwood, OH
- Count I: Conspiracy to Commit Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 Felony
9. Fernando Coronado-Olivares, 25, no known address
- Count I: Child Solicitation, Level 4 Felony
10. James Andrew Klimek, 58, Indianapolis, IN
- Count I: Child Solicitation, Level 5 Felony
One additional person was arrested in Clinton County from this investigation, though he faces charges only in Clinton County, so I will not be identifying him in this press release.
Shelbyville Police Department Deputy Chief of Investigations Robert Brinkman was impressed by the investigation, stating: “This is an important area of law enforcement that must be dealt with aggressively, and that’s exactly what this team did. I was very impressed with how the investigation was organized and conducted”.
Shelby County Sheriff Chris Holder added: “The collaboration of so many law enforcement entities in this operation was beyond impressive. My deputies and I were happy to participate in this investigation to target those who target Shelby County kids. As I have said repeatedly, as Sheriff, I am dedicating resources specifically to these type of investigations to keep Shelby County children safe from these type of predators”.
Indiana State Police Lieutenant Christopher Cecil, commander of the Indiana ICAC Task Force, said: “The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force consists of exceptionally dedicated members of law enforcement who demonstrate unwavering commitment to the mission to protect children. For every child rescued from danger, these professionals invest not just effort, but a profound part of their very being. The outcomes of this three-day operation underscore the power of collaboration across all levels of government. Collaborative initiatives like this highlight the positive impact that law enforcement can have in enhancing community safety by addressing the challenges posed by online predators who target children.”
(From Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen):
I want to commend each and every law enforcement officer/agent/task force who was involved in this operation. Their genuine dedication to protecting children is incredible – particularly for the federal officers involved who worked each evening until the early morning hours while not getting paid. I also want to thank Deputy Prosecutor Brandon Robinson for all he did in helping to guide this investigation to such a successful outcome.
We encourage parents to closely monitor their children’s on-line activities. Think about how many similar conversations and meetings were arranged outside our investigation during those 3 days – not to mention the other 362 days this year. It is OK to trust your kids – but it is still necessary to verify what you believe. A quick check now and then could save your child’s life.
REPORTING CHILD EXPLOITATION OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING
If you suspect human trafficking or sexual exploitation, please report it immediately:
• Local Sheriff’s Office, Police Department, or 911
• ICAC Task Force Website (https://internetcrimesagainstkids.com/)
• Indiana DCS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (for suspected trafficking involving minors) o 1-800-800-5556
• National Human Trafficking Hotline - 1-888-373-7888 o Text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733 o www.humantraffickinghotline.org
James B. Landwerlen Shelby County Prosecutor
DISCLAIMER: Please note that all persons mentioned in this news release are considered innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law. The information in this news release is based on information from Court filings and should not be taken as any opinion as to guilt or innocence of any person mentioned, whether identified or not.