Targeted by the ICAC Task Force in Indianapolis? What Residents Need to Know Now!
The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force exists to investigate, charge, and prosecute individuals committing criminal online offenses that exploit and harm children. Given the severity of these crimes, they are harshly prosecuted. Have you been targeted by the ICAC task force in Indianapolis? It’s important to know how that can affect you and what you can do to protect your rights.
Offenses that Are Internet Crimes Against Children in Indianapolis
There are many offenses in Indiana that may be investigated by the ICAC, including:
- Inappropriate communications with a child: This occurs when someone 18 or older discusses sexual activity or grooms someone they believe is 14 years old or younger. Generally, it is a Class B misdemeanor, but becomes a Class A misdemeanor when a computer network is used to commit the offense.
- Possession of child sexual abuse material: This offense is charged for the knowing or intentional possession of the material with the intent to view it. It is a Level 6 felony, but can be charged as severely as a Level 3 felony.
- Disseminating matter harmful to minors online: This occurs when obscene material or child sexual abuse material is distributed through the internet, or if other harmful material is distributed to a child under the age of 18, and the person believes or intends that the receiving party is under the age of 18.
- Child seduction: Child seduction occurs when someone over the age of 18 uses their power and influence over a minor to get the minor to engage in sexual conduct. This can be charged as a Level 6 felony to a Level 2 felony, depending on the age of the parties and whether sexual intercourse took place.
There are other offenses, like child exploitation and child solicitation. There were 275 arrests in Marion County in 2025 for child exploitation or molestation, according to the Indiana Management Performance Hub, and 693 offenses reported in the county.
What Should You Do If You Are Being Investigated by the ICAC in Indianapolis?
There have been an increased number of investigations in Indiana. If you suspect you are being investigated by the ICAC in Indianapolis, getting legal defense is crucial. These offenses can result in imprisonment for months or years, substantial fines, required registration as a sex offender, and a criminal record. Even if you are not convicted, the charge for the offense can have severe reputational consequences on your professional, social, and personal life.
The sooner you begin working with a legal defense, the sooner your criminal defense attorney can begin assessing the case against you, ensuring your rights are respected, and helping you take the right steps. Trying to explain yourself or give any information will be used against you in your criminal case. An attorney helps you minimize this risk.
If you have already been charged or arrested by the ICAC in Indianapolis, immediate legal representation is crucial. An attorney helps you in several ways throughout the case, including:
- Help you understand your charges, the laws that are relevant in your case, and what outcomes you might expect
- Navigate the complex criminal law system
- Protect your rights against unfair and illegal investigations
- Protect your rights during the entire legal process
- Create a strong defense against the charges based on your unique situation
- Support you during this incredibly stressful time
An attorney can assess defenses like a lack of intent, a lack of knowledge, a mistaken identity, or insufficient evidence to show you committed the crime at all. They can listen to your situation and determine which is likely to be most effective at avoiding conviction or minimizing your penalties.
In 2025, there were 29,635 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTips for the ICAC, over 1.6 times more than in 2024. Not all individuals investigated or even charged with an offense by the ICAC have committed that offense. Regardless of your situation, you deserve an effective legal defense.
FAQs
What Is the ICAC in Indiana?
The ICAC in Indiana is the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children task force. It is the Indiana branch, overseen by the Indiana State Police, of a multiagency task force that investigates, charges, and prosecutes those who commit sexual exploitation of minors on the internet. The nationwide ICAC was created in 1998 and continues to be funded by the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The Indiana ICAC was created in 2005.
Who Investigates Internet Crime?
There are many federal agencies that investigate internet crime, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Investigations, and many other investigating agencies. The FBI’s Internet Criminal Complaint Center (IC3) does not conduct investigations but is part of the FBI’s investigative process.
On the state level in Indiana, internet crimes may be investigated by the Indiana State Police (ISP), the ISP Cybercrime & Investigative Technologies Section, and the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
Does the Internet Crime Complaint Center Do Anything?
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) states that it analyzes tips and complaints submitted and then gives them to the appropriate law enforcement agency. This may be the FBI or other state and federal agencies that investigate criminal offenses or civil violations online. Because of this, the IC3 does not inform you about the status of any investigation.
When Should You Hire a Sex Crime Lawyer in Indianapolis?
You should hire a sex crime lawyer in Indianapolis if you believe you are being investigated for a sex crime, or if you have been arrested for or charged with a sex crime. Legal defense is always essential to protect your rights and your future, especially when you are facing serious charges like online sex crimes against minors. An attorney can determine what evidence is against you and your options for defense.
Work With a Skilled Indianapolis Sex Crime Attorney Defense Team
You do not have to handle an investigation by the ICAC or any other investigating agency alone, and it’s in your interests not to. At The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C., we offer legal representation with benefits like:
- Over 100 years of combined criminal trial experience
- Five Criminal Trial Specialists* who are Board Certified
- An attorney with major case prosecution experience
- Cases handled by teams of two attorneys and a paralegal
- 24/7 on-call attorney representation
When you need a dedicated team, reach out to our firm.
*Andrew Baldwin, Kathie Perry, Maxwell Wiley, Kelly Pyle, and Michael C. Cunningham are Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists, as certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Find out why having a Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialist as your defense lawyer is important here.