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In July 2026, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office hosted a week-long, multi-agency undercover online chat operation, targeting individuals seeking to sexually exploit minors through internet-based communications. Participating agencies included the Howard County Sheriff’s Office Task Force Unit, the Kokomo Police Department, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police, and the Department of Homeland Security.
During the operation, investigators utilized undercover online personas portraying underage individuals to identify persons attempting to engage in criminal activity involving minors. Throughout the operation, numerous online conversations were initiated with individuals who believed they were communicating with juveniles.
As a direct result of this operation, two individuals traveled to a predetermined meeting location with the intent to engage in sexual acts with individuals they believed to be under the age of 18. Upon arrival, both individuals were taken into custody without incident.
The following individuals were arrested:
Kevin Shaia, 33, of La Porte, IN: Child Solicitation, Level 4 Felony
Christopher Amici, 42, of Kokomo, IN: Child Solicitation, Level 4 Felony; Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 Felony; Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 Felony
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.