Also, Kokomo man arrested for possession of child sex abuse material; Carter Street to close 8/25; bicyclist injured in collision
A coordinated undercover operation, led by the Boone County Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation (CASE) Task Force and the Indiana State Police (ISP), in collaboration with the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, has resulted in the arrest of five individuals accused of attempting to sexually abuse minors.
This extensive operation brought together dozens of law enforcement professionals who collectively devoted many hours to the mission of protecting children and identifying individuals seeking to exploit them online. This operation was supported by an extraordinary collaboration of agencies including: Boone County Prosecutor’s Office; Indiana State Police; Department of Homeland Security; Boone County Sheriff’s Office; Zionsville Police Department; Lebanon Police Department; Whitestown Police Department; Avon Police Department; Plainfield Police Department; Westfield Police Department; Greenfield Police Department; Howard County Sheriff’s Office; and the Terre Haute Police Department.
The operation focused on identifying and apprehending individuals who used digital platforms to target minors for criminal activity. Undercover officers engaged with suspects online by adopting various identities. These interactions led to the arrest of several individuals who traveled to Boone County intending to engage in sexual activity with minors.
As a result of the operation, five arrests were made, including the apprehension of Daniel Trusty, 36, of Russiaville who is charged with Level 5 Felony Conspiracy to Commit Sexual Misconduct with a Minor.
All individuals named in this release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“This operation is a powerful example of what can be achieved when local, state, and federal agencies work together to protect our children,” said First Sergeant/ICAC Commander Christopher Cecil for the Indiana State Police. “We are grateful for the dedication and professionalism of every agency involved.”
If you suspect human trafficking or sexual exploitation, please report it immediately to your local Sheriff’s Office, Police Department, or by calling 911. Other places to report include the ICAC Task Force Website (https://www.in.gov/isp/icactf/); the Indiana DCS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (for suspected trafficking involving minors) 1-800-800-5556; the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888; or text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733.
Kokomo man arrested for possession of child sex abuse material
In January, an investigator with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began an investigation after receiving three CyberTip Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) pertaining to Child Sex Abuse Material/Child Exploitation.
The CyberTip Reports were generated by Yahoo! and included more than 130 files depicting child sex abuse material. Through the investigation, it was determined that 45-year-old Kevin Chapel Jr., of Kokomo, was the Yahoo! user suspected of uploading the content.
On the morning of August 7, a search warrant was obtained for the 6000 block of 80 South, Kokomo. Investigators with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by detectives from the Kokomo Police Department. During the search, numerous electronic devices which were seized from the residence, with at least one device containing media files confirmed to be child sex abuse material.
As a result, On August 18, Chapel was taken into custody for two counts of Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material (Level 5 Felony) and two counts of Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material (Level 6 Felony).
This investigation was conducted by Investigator Kysha Quirk, an affiliated member of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The Indiana ICAC is a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children.
Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators 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
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the filing of the information is merely an allegation, and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Carter Street to close Aug. 25
On Monday Aug. 25, 2025, Carter Street from Ind. 931 to Goyer Road will be closed for Metronet to repair three conduit crossings. This closure is expected to last two days, weather permitting.
Bicyclist injured in collision
On August 19, 2025, at approximately 7:22 a.m., officers of the Kokomo Police Department were dispatched to Taylor Street and Apperson Way in Kokomo for a serious injury accident involving an electric bicycle.
Once officers arrived, they found a gray Shengmilo S600 electric bicycle had struck a trailer in the parking lot for Fashions on the Go, 320 E. Taylor Street. A subject, identified as Alan Parkins of Kokomo, Indiana, was laying on the ground, suffering from a severe head injury, and was unresponsive.
Officers interviewed numerous witnesses who reported Parkins had been traveling very fast, failed to negotiate the turn using the sidewalk path, and struck the parked trailer while operating the bicycle.
Parkins was taken from the scene to St. Vincent Kokomo Hospital where he was then transported to Indianapolis by air ambulance for immediate medical treatment.
This case remains under investigation. Anyone witnessing the accident or having additional information is asked to contact Officer Greg Smith at 765-457-1105.