A 22-year-old Kokomo man faces multiple felony charges following an investigation into the suspected possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began in April 2026 after a detective and the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report, generated by Google, included images flagged and confirmed as child sexual abuse material.
Investigators identified Jarren Schmitt of Kokomo as the suspected user associated with the account. On Sept. 3, 2026, authorities executed a search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of Walker Avenue in Kokomo.
Several electronic devices were seized and later found to contain child sexual abuse material, according to the sheriff’s office.
Schmitt was taken into custody and faces the following charges:
- Child Molesting, a Level 1 felony
- Child Exploitation, a Level 3 felony
- Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, a Level 3 felony
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by detectives from the Kokomo Police Department and the Indiana State Police. The investigation was conducted by Detective Kysha Quirk, an affiliated member of the Indiana ICAC Task Force.
The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation and enticement involving children to NCMEC. Reports involving a child victim and the internet or other electronic devices can also be made to local Indiana law enforcement.
More information about the Indiana ICAC Task Force is available at internetcrimesagainstkids.com.
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the filing of charges is an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.