COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (ADAMS) – Indiana State Police say a 42-year-old Columbia City man is facing seven charges of possessing child pornography. John Cowdin II was arrested this week and has been charged with felonies.
ISP’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force started their investigation last September after getting a tip that an internet account had been used for child exploitation.
Indiana State Police released the following on Wednesday:
On September 6, 2022, the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force initiated a criminal investigation after having received a transfer case from the Chicago Police Department ICAC, based on a tip received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an online account had been used for child exploitation.
During that investigation, information revealed the owner of the online account to be John Cowdin II, 42, of Columbia City, IN. After reviewing the results of the investigation, the Whitley County Prosecutor’s office issued a warrant for Cowdin’s arrest. Yesterday, April 18, 2023, the Whitley County Sheriff Department arrested Mr. Cowdin II at his place of employment in Columbia City.
Arrested: John Cowdin II, 42, Columbia City, IN
Charges: (7) counts- Possession of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felonies
The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, the Columbia City Police Department, and the Chicago Police Department (IL).
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.
Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is to be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
