The Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), initiated a criminal investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an online account had been used to store child pornography.
The investigation revealed the owner of the online account to be Gary N. Masters II, 37, Rome City, and that Masters was also alleged to have been soliciting children online using various messaging applications.
On Wednesday July 28, after reviewing the results of the investigation, the Noble County Prosecutor’s office issued a warrant for Masters arrest. Masters was already incarcerated at the Noble County Jail on unrelated charges. He will remain held on these latest charges pending an initial appearance in the Noble County courts.
ARRESTED: Gary N. Masters, 37, Rome City, IN
CHARGES:
- Child Exploitation, Level 4 Felony
- Child Exploitation, Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Child Pornography, Level 6 Felony
- Child Solicitation, Level 5 Felony
Anyone having any information related to internet crimes against children are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency or make a report to NCMEC at https://report.cybertip.org/.
Under the law, all criminal suspects are to be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The foregoing criminal charges are merely accusations at this point.